UNICEF Warns of Dire Impact of Myanmar Earthquake on Children, Urges Urgent Global Support.
YANGON:
The recent earthquake in Myanmar, which has been described as the deadliest in decades, has devastated communities and left children facing unimaginable hardship. According to UNICEF Myanmar’s Deputy Representative, Julia Rees, the disaster has disproportionately affected the youngest victims, with thousands of children grappling with trauma, loss, and injury.
Rees, who has just returned from the worst-affected regions, spoke at a Palais briefing in Geneva, detailing the catastrophic aftermath of the earthquake that struck the country. She emphasized the overwhelming devastation, particularly in areas where entire communities have been flattened. “Children and families are sleeping in the open, with no homes to return to,” said Rees, noting that many children were in shock after witnessing their homes collapse and losing family members. Some have been separated from their parents, while others remain unaccounted for.
The earthquake’s impact has been widespread, with significant damage to homes, schools, hospitals, and critical infrastructure, including bridges and power lines. Entire communities are now without essential services like electricity, telecommunications, clean water, food, and medical supplies. “The destruction is immense,” Rees stated, stressing that families in the affected areas are facing severe shortages of basic necessities.
The situation remains dire, as tremors continue to affect the region, and search and rescue operations are still underway. In one hospital visit, Rees reported seeing a rescue team recover 20 bodies over two days, with one survivor being pulled from the rubble. The psychological toll on children, who were already facing displacement and conflict, has been profound. “This disaster has added another layer of fear and loss for children who were already vulnerable,” Rees explained.
UNICEF and its partners have mobilized emergency supplies, including water, sanitation, hygiene kits, medical kits, and nutrition assistance. However, Rees highlighted that these initial efforts are insufficient given the scale of the crisis. “We are working in incredibly challenging conditions—without electricity or running water and often sleeping outside,” she noted, pointing out the severe logistical difficulties faced by relief teams.
In addition to the pre-positioned stocks, UNICEF is mobilizing another 80 metric tons of critical supplies from global hubs to support the response. Despite these efforts, Rees made it clear that the needs on the ground are escalating rapidly, with fewer than 10 percent of the required funds for the 2025 Humanitarian Action for Children appeal for Myanmar having been received so far.
“Let me be clear: the needs are massive, and they are rising by the hour,” Rees stressed. “The window for life-saving response is closing.” She called on the international community to act with urgency and provide the necessary funding to scale up the response and help meet the growing needs of the affected population. The lack of resources, she warned, could prevent UNICEF and its partners from reaching every child in need.
Before the earthquake, Myanmar was already facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with over 6.5 million children requiring assistance. Now, this disaster has further exacerbated the vulnerability of children, pushing already fragile families beyond their breaking point.
UNICEF’s urgent appeal for additional resources underscores the critical need for swift action to prevent further suffering. “Children with serious injuries need urgent care. Many are deeply traumatized, having lost loved ones or been pulled from the rubble themselves. The longer we wait, the deeper the impact on children’s lives and futures,” concluded Rees.
