It’s been one year since a devastating earthquake in Myanmar. Many children and families are still recovering. They’ve lost loved ones, homes, livelihoods and essential services.
Plan International provided immediate live-saving assistance in the aftermath of the earthquake, including food, water and shelter.
Now, we continue working with communities to support long-term recovery. From strengthening protection systems to restoring education to disaster risk reduction. All with a strong focus on supporting girls.
Despite progress, recovery is far from complete. Your support can help families rebuild safely and restore livelihoods. It can also ensure children can learn, recover and thrive. Please give today.
Help children in Myanmar now
Please donate to the Myanmar Earthquake Appeal.
What happened in Myanmar?
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on 28 March 2025, the strongest to hit the country in decades. Powerful aftershocks followed, and huge areas of the country were devastated.
Millions of people across Myanmar were affected, many of them children. More than 3,700 people were killed with over 5,000 injured. Roads, water sources and communication lines were badly damaged.
Reconstruction efforts have begun, but communities continue to face significant humanitarian needs.
Many families still live in temporary shelters and are recovering from the loss of income and livelihoods. Access to critical health services and education is disrupted. Children and families need ongoing child protection and psychosocial support, particularly girls and women who face heightened risks following disasters.
Wai's* story
“When I think back to the earthquake, it still feels like a terrible nightmare,” says Wai, 29, a mother of two from Myanmar. Her daughters attend a child-friendly space, set up by Plan International in her village following the earthquake.
“My children have regained some happiness through the child-friendly space. They are smiling again, which makes me very happy. Seeing my daughters laughing and playing together again is the greatest gift for me.”
Wai and her family also received cash assistance from Plan International: “When I received it, tears came to my eyes. It was the first time since the devastation that I had felt a sense of security again. [It] helped us to buy food and start rebuilding our small tailoring business. Without this support, I do not know how we would have survived.”
You can help us reach more families like Wai’s by donating today.
“The people of Myanmar have experienced some of the worst things imaginable, and they need all the support they can get to recover and rebuild.”
Haider Yaqub, Country Director for Plan International in Myanmar.
Our response
In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, Plan International delivered life-saving assistance including food and shelter items, psychosocial support and help restoring water and sanitation facilities.
Today, our teams continue to support affected communities with recovery efforts. Working closely with local partners and communities we aim to strengthen long-term resilience and support sustainable recovery.
In the last year we have:
- supported a total of 219,098 people affected by the earthquake, with a strong focus on reaching girls, women and vulnerable families.
- helped 86,935 people to repair their homes.
- provided 45,130 people with psychosocial and emotional support.
- repaired 10 schools and set up three temporary learning spaces.
- set up 48 child-friendly spaces, providing 18,351 children with a place to learn, play and heal.
- provided food supplies to 14,146 people and cash assistance to 41,968 people.
Supporting children’s wellbeing, protection and access to safe learning environments remains a critical priority for recovery. Our work today is focused on education (through temporary learning spaces), child protection, disaster risk reduction and climate resilience, as well as cash assistance to help families restore livelihoods.
The earthquake has had serious impacts on girls and women. We will continue to prioritise girls and young people throughout our activities, ensuring they can access healthcare, safety and opportunities for a better future.
Thankfully, all children sponsored through Plan International’s child sponsorship programme are safe and accounted for and we are working hard to ensure they get any support they need.
How your donation helps protect girls
It’s estimated that 4.8 million girls and women in the worst affected areas of Myanmar face heightened risks and uncertainty in the aftermath of this crisis.
For example, girls who have been orphaned or separated from their families are at risk of violence, exploitation and trafficking. And girls within families who have lost their livelihoods risk being pulled out of school first to help make ends meet.
What’s more, damage to water sources and a lack of functioning shops means its challenging for girls and people who menstruate to manage their periods.
Plan International is ensuring the unique needs of girls in Myanmar are accounted for in the aftermath of the earthquakes.
Disasters Emergency Committee
Plan International UK is a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee, an umbrella organisation that brings together 15 UK aid agencies to tackle major humanitarian emergencies.
It aims to save lives by maximising money raised and ensuring funds are spent in the most effective and transparent way possible. As part of our response to the Myanmar Earthquake Appeal we have been working with the DEC to help reach the most vulnerable.
Banner photo: Badly damaged building in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Myanmar.
In the unlikely event that we raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent for this appeal, any additional funds will be spent wherever the need is greatest.
Note to readers: The situation in Myanmar continues to evolve each day. This page reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publishing.
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