A deadly earthquake that struck Myanmar six months ago has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis and has left 9.3 million people, or one sixth of the population,* in need of shelter*, almost one third of them children1, Save the Children said.
Children and families in heavily impacted areas of the Southeast Asian country were already in need of humanitarian support even before the earthquake.
Conflict and climate fuelled disasters had left 6.3 million children among about 19.9 million people — or more than one third of Myanmar's population — in need of support, but the earthquake has made living conditions worse for many children.
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake, which struck on March 28, the strongest one to hit Myanmar in a century, killed more than 3,800 people2 and cause massive damage to infrastructure with more than 50,000 homes were either destroyed, or severely damaged and schools and water systems were heavily disrupted.3
While some families have returned to live in damaged houses, children shared that they also continue to suffer from the mental health impacts of the disaster.
Myat Thu*, 17, who lives in Mandalay with his parents and siblings, was out alone buying food for his family on the day the earthquake struck.
After experiencing such a destructive earthquake for the first time in his life, Myat Thu fears more will occur and often feels anxious when he walks past tall buildings.
"Our house is a bit slanted and has sunk into the ground. Everything placed up high was thrown down and the ladder was destroyed," he said.
"The fear still lingers in us, and I always think there might be an earthquake whenever I hear a loud sound."
Save the Children provided psychosocial support to Myat Thu and other children affected by the earthquake through a children's network facilitated by a local partner.
Daw Khin Yu*, 42, a mother whose home was also damaged, says she noticed changes in her children after the earthquake.
"After the earthquake, I noticed the youngest had a slight behavioural change. He is now 7 years old. In the past, he could do everything by himself. He usually took a bath, prepared for school, or went to the toilet by himself. Now, he clings to me like a little child since he is afraid to be alone, and I need to take care of him as if he were a baby. All the good behaviours he had before the earthquake have stopped," she said.
"The second youngest is now 12 years old. She also fears the environment, and now both sleep with us every night. The eldest also became very afraid. Whenever she hears loud noises, she screams and hugs her younger siblings. She is very anxious for them."
Myanmar is highly vulnerable to multiple risks and most people affected by the earthquake were exposed to protracted displacement due to ongoing conflict and natural hazards including cyclones and landslides.4
Abdurahman Sharif, Senior Director, Programme Impact, Influencing and Humanitarian Affairs, Save the Children International, said:
"Myanmar's earthquake was over in minutes, but the damage done to the lives of children will last much longer. Some of the damaged infrastructure in earthquake-affected areas remain unrepaired.
"What's possibly worse is the often-hidden mental health burden that children carry with them after a traumatic event like an earthquake. Some lost loved ones, others lost their homes or schools.
"Without urgent funding and more access to the areas that were affected humanitarian organisations will struggle to meet the needs of children in Myanmar."
To date, Save the Children has helped more than 180,000 people in Myanmar, including nearly 50,000 children, across some of the worst affected areas.
Save the Children has also distributed over 26,000 emergency kits which include blankets, sleeping mats and mosquito nets and set up over 1,000 shelters for displaced families as well as 47 spaces where children can play and receive emotional support.
The leading children's charity has also provided clean drinking water to over 190,000 people and distributed over 12,000 hygiene kits with essentials like soap, toothbrushes and sanitary items. Save the Children has repaired damaged water points and installed toilets and showers with safe spaces for women.
The charity has also provided mental health and psychosocial support to 4,000 children.
Save the Children has been working in Myanmar since 1995, providing life-saving healthcare, food and nutrition, education and child protection programmes.
