More than two months since two powerful earthquakes severely affected several regions in Myanmar, Burnet Institute's early recovery response has made a positive difference to the lives and wellbeing of thousands of students, young people and their families in Mandalay and Sagiang.
Measuring 7.7 and 6.4, the earthquakes on March 28 caused widespread damage to infrastructure, communication and health systems, resulting in more than 3,800 deaths and the displacement of over two million people across the country.
Based on consultations with local communities, the Burnet Myanmar team mobilised quickly with existing networks to prepare and distribute essential needs packs.
The packs included menstrual and personal hygiene kits, newborn and clean delivery kits, and 550 schooling packages for boys and girls including bags, books, stationery and lunch boxes, which were entirely supported by Burnet's fundraising appeal.
In all, more than 2,300 girls received menstrual hygiene kits including sanitary pads, sanitary bags, soap, napkins, underwear, analgesics and iron supplements; 1,000 boys received personal hygiene kits; and newborn and clean delivery kits were distributed to more than 700 pregnant women and new mothers.
Burnet continued to provide its much-needed existing services including mental health and psychosocial support, and sexual and reproductive services for young people in Yangon and Magway; and hepatitis C test and treatment services in Yangon.
Prior to the earthquake, Myanmar was already facing serious humanitarian and health challenges, including limited access to healthcare, food insecurity and increasing mental health burdens due to political instability and conflict.
Burnet Myanmar country representative Dr Phone Myint Win said the earthquake has significantly intensified these existing vulnerabilities.
"Humanitarian needs remain acute across the affected areas two months after the earthquakes," Dr Phone said.
"Although humanitarian partners are scaling up their response efforts, funding remains limited despite the scale and urgency of the needs.
"This underscores the importance of sustained support for both immediate relief and early recovery."
Dr Phone said Burnet Myanmar has shared a preliminary situation report with key stakeholders, including the World Health Organization and the United Nations Office for Project Services, to improve access to primary healthcare services for people in earthquake affected areas.
Longer-term goals include an integrated, inclusive and climate-resilient health system, strengthened disease surveillance and more investment in community strengthening.
