Earthquake in Myanmar: the impact on the population could be devastating
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At the time you are reading these lines, the crucial hours have begun for those affected.
Your contribution to the MSF Emergency Fund enables our teams to respond after a natural disaster.
Vital assistance is needed right now.
The teams of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) working in Myanmar and Thailand are safe after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck the central region, near Mandalay.
Our humanitarian medical staff in Myanmar and neighboring countries have the capacity to respond on a large scale to the needs of the affected communities, if authorities facilitate quick and unhindered access to allow teams to conduct assessments and provide medical care.
Given the scale and intensity of the earthquake, the impact on the populations could be devastating, particularly for cases requiring immediate life-saving assistance due to traumatic injuries. We are also concerned about people who will be vulnerable due to the loss of their homes, limited access to general healthcare, and the loss of access to drinking water, which is crucial for controlling the possible spread of waterborne diseases.
Given the scale and intensity of the earthquake, the impact on people could be devastating, particularly for those who require immediate lifesaving assistance due to trauma injuries. We are also concerned about those who will be vulnerable as a result of loss of shelter, loss of access to general healthcare, as well as loss of access to safe drinking water.
The ability to deploy assessment teams and, ideally, surgical capacity, are critical in the first hours and days after any earthquake if we hope to respond with life and limb-saving surgical care for people injured.
To enable an effective response, swift access to affected areas and timely approval of essential supplies and personnel are critical.
"The situation is very complicated because of the conflict."
Federica Franco, coordinatrice générale de MSF au Myanmar, s'exprimant depuis Yangon dans les heures qui ont suivi le tremblement de terre :
My name is Federica, and I am the Head of Mission for MSF in Myanmar.
While we are not in the most affected areas, all of our teams in the country felt the earthquake, and our offices had to be evacuated. It was particularly long, which made it even more frightening for many of us.
Thankfully, all our staff are safe, but we are deeply concerned for the people in the affected areas. At this stage, it is difficult to fully assess the extent of the damage. Official reports indicate that 144 people have lost their lives and nearly 1,500 have been injured. However, we expect these numbers to rise.
The situation is further complicated by significant communication blackouts in some of the hardest-hit areas due to the ongoing conflict. Additionally, key roads, including the Express Highway connecting Yangon, Naypyidaw, and Mandalay, have been damaged. Some airports are also closed. This makes it incredibly challenging not only to gather information but also to physically reach those in urgent need of assistance.
MSF teams are ready to respond, and emergency response planning is already underway.
Our priority is to deploy assessment teams and, ideally, an emergency trauma care team. However, access remains a crucial challenge, and time is of the essence, especially for those in need of immediate medical care.
MSF has made it clear that we are willing to engage with all stakeholders to ensure that aid reaches those who need it most."
How to donate to respond to the immediate needs of people stricken by the earthquake
The emergency fund enables MSF to quickly respond to the immediate needs of those affected by the earthquake in Morocco. 85% of the money goes straight to the field and MSF is audited every year by an independent, authorised body.
Secure donations can be made:
- via bank transfer: CCP LU751111000048480000 BIC: CCPLLULL
- via MSF Luxembourg’s website by clicking below: