Building disaster resilience isn’t just about emergency response; it’s about investment in safe water, sanitation, and local systems that protect people before, during, and after crisis
Heavy rains that struck Mandalay and Sagaing – the epicentre of the recent earthquake in Myanmar – at the weekend have further complicated the humanitarian situation.
The existing lack of sanitation and clean water is now increasing the risk of waterborne diseases, said Oxfam today.
“The recent heavy rains have added to the challenges faced by the survivors of this earthquake, further affecting those who are already struggling. Hundreds of thousands of people are seeking shelter in temporary accommodations or in open areas, with limited access to clean water and proper sanitation."
— Rajan Khosla, Country Director, Oxfam in Myanmar
The destruction of roads and bridges, together with the disruption in telecommunications have already slowed rescue and relief operations over the past week. Millions of people in hardest-hit areas remain with limited access to electricity, clean water and sanitation, and essential services.
The UN has estimated that the earthquake has affected more than 17 million people across 57 of the country’s 330 townships. Over 3,400 people have been announced dead and thousands more injured, and the number is still rising. Oxfam’s team was among the first to reach the hardest-hit areas, providing lifesaving supplies to prevent the outbreak of disease particularly acute watery diseases.
Together with our partners, Oxfam is providing people in shelters with lifesaving water, sanitation and hygiene kits, blankets, mosquito nets and other essential supplies. Oxfam’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene expert shared from Mandalay.
Oxfam Ireland CEO, Jim Clarken, highlighted that Myanmar was already reeling from a severe humanitarian crisis prior to the latest disaster. Almost 20 million people – one third of the population – required humanitarian assistance:
“Less than 40 percent of the UN Humanitarian appeal for Myanmar was met last year. Vulnerable communities must be supported long-term to rebuild after such a horrific blow. Building disaster resilience isn’t just about emergency response; it’s about investment in safe water, sanitation, and local systems that protect people before, during, and after crisis.”
— Jim Clarken, Oxfam Ireland CEO
Jim Clarken noted Ireland's role as guest country of South Africa's presidency of the G20 could boost calls for international financing of disaster resilience and response:
“South Africa is calling on the global community, including international financial institutions, development banks and the private sector to scale up post-disaster reconstruction. Ireland can help South Africa achieve this aim and create an international architecture fit for Myanmar and those other regions who will unfortunately suffer even more natural disasters as our climate deteriorates."
— Jim Clarken, Oxfam Ireland CEO
Oxfam is scaling up its response to reach the most vulnerable groups in hardest hit areas, particularly women, children, and people with disability.
Oxfam in Myanmar has been working to support communities in Myanmar since 2008, following the devastating Cyclone Nargis in the Delta region. Since then, we have expanded our programmes with the aim of reducing poverty and suffering in Myanmar, working closely with communities and local partners.
Immediately after the earthquake, Oxfam has mobilized to deliver urgent relief to the hardest hit areas. Together with our partners, our teams have reached thousands of people, particularly in Mandalay and Sagaing, with hygiene and dignity kits, as well as, cooked food, water, mosquito nets and blankets.
The 7.7-magnitude quake - the worst to hit Myanmar in decades – has left a trail of devastation, particularly in the regions of Mandalay, Sagaing, parts of Shan, and Nay Pyi Taw.
“Less than 40 percent of the UN Humanitarian appeal for Myanmar was met last year. Vulnerable communities must be supported long-term to rebuild after such a horrific blow. Building disaster resilience isn’t just about emergency response; it’s about investment in safe water, sanitation, and local systems that protect people before, during, and after crisis.”
