Myanmar Earthquake and Supporting Women-led Responses

The conditions on the ground

On March 28, a violent 7.7 magnitude earthquake shook Myanmar, followed by a 5.5 magnitude aftershock. The humanitarian situation is dire, with casualty figures still being compiled. As of April 7, the United Nations reported a death toll of more than 3,500 and more than 5,000 injured and hundreds more missing. However, the death toll is likely far greater, with some sources estimating potential fatalities of more than 10,000. Tragically, these numbers are expected to rise as rescue efforts continue, and further aftershocks pose ongoing threats.

This devastating earthquake has compounded an already critical situation in Myanmar, which is in the midst of a brutal civil war following the 2021 military crackdown and sustained attacks of the military against not only Ethnic Resistance Organizations and resistance forces but also civilians. The prolonged armed conflict in Myanmar had already resulted in the internal displacement of more than 3 million people, a disproportionate amount of whom are women and children who face increased risks to their safety and barriers to receiving basic needs. The earthquake has severely exacerbated existing humanitarian needs.

An internally displaced woman and mother of two from Inle Lake in Southern Shan State reflected on their situation, stating: “We were displaced to this location to escape armed conflict and endured flooding last year. Now, we have been impacted by the earthquake. I am overwhelmed by these significant hardships and am experiencing profound depression.”

In response to the disaster, the government in exile opposing the military dictatorship, the National Unity Government, announced a temporary two-week pause in resistance operations on March 30, and the Three Brotherhood Alliance of resistance armies declared a unilateral one-month ceasefire to ensure swift and effective post-earthquake recovery operations. In the first few days after the earthquake, the regime continued air strikes and bombings in Shan, Kachin, Kayah (Karenni), Magway, and Rakhine states, and local media reported more than 70 citizen fatalities from these attacks.

The State Administration Council, or SAC, subsequently announced a 20-day ceasefire and has accepted aid from the international community, including response teams from China, India, and other neighbors. However, this aid is unlikely to reach the non-SAC-controlled areas affected by the earthquake.

Citizen journalists have reported that the military is obstructing local rescue teams, imposing a 10 PM curfew, and continuing forced conscription of young people.

Needs of women in earthquake affected areas of Myanmar

TAF’s AMPLIFY program—a five-year women, peace, and security regional initiative funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade—is a regional effort to address the problem that women are differentially impacted by armed conflicts and human security threats in Southeast Asia.

Myanmar was already a complex environment, and the scale and scope of the earthquake destruction is difficult to comprehend, with villages and large parts of cities lying in ruin. The TAF AMPLIFY Myanmar team wishes to emphasize the heightened risks of violence against women and girls and sexual exploitation and abuse that survivors and relief workers may encounter, urging all to maintain vigilance. Women’s rights organizations in Myanmar have stressed the importance of a gender-sensitive approach to aid and rescue efforts, prioritizing the specific needs of women, such as hygiene and menstrual kits, and support for lactating mothers.

Necessities are severely lacking across affected areas of Sagaing, Magway, Mandalay, and Northern Shan, including drinking water, food, shelter, electricity, communication, healthcare—physical and mental health support—and security. The region is also experiencing extreme heat, compounding the difficulties. Water shortages are prevalent due to power outages hindering water pumping, and soaring fuel prices impede access to clean water sources. These shortages severely affect women, who are disproportionately responsible for cooking and household tasks. Poor sanitation poses significant health risks for women, particularly during menstruation, due to inadequate water for hygiene.

Even in cases where homes have not entirely collapsed, many are structurally unsafe, forcing many people to sleep outdoors or on the streets. The lack of proper shelter and mosquito nets exposes vulnerable populations—women, children, the elderly, the sick, and people with disabilities—to increased hardships and security risks, including a heightened risk of violence against women and child abuse.

A large body of research has established that natural disasters heighten the vulnerabilities of women and girls to insecurities, including trafficking in persons. Displacement and economic, food, and housing insecurity caused by disasters such as earthquakes increase the targeting of women and girls for illicit activities. In the aftermath of the Myanmar earthquake, raising awareness and monitoring to mitigate this risk will be vital. Most rescue workers are volunteers, and there is a lack of systematic management in relief efforts. This lack of oversight raises additional risks to women’s protection, including the risk of sexual exploitation and abuse.

The crucial role of strong female leadership in relief operations cannot be overstated, as it is essential to prioritize the concerns and needs of women and children in the response. Pregnant and lactating mothers are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition and lack access to essential supplies like baby formula. Following the earthquake, there were reports of several pregnant women experiencing miscarriages. The fact that Mandalay has historically been a destination and transit point for human trafficking adds a further layer of protection risk in the aftermath of the disaster.

TAF’s partner, the Women Alliance Burma, is documenting needs on the ground and is calling for urgent support to provide essential materials, including:

• Shelter: Tents, blankets, mosquito nets
• Medical Aid: Mobile clinics, first aid kits, clean water
• Women’s Health: Menstrual pads are urgently needed
• Food and Water: Supplies are running low due to market closures
• Rescue Equipment: There is a shortage of body bags, search tools, and heavy machinery for clearing debris

Recovery and rebuilding will be a protracted process. Collaborative efforts are paramount to ensure the most effective and appropriate response to this immense crisis.

The most effective way to provide assistance is by supporting local organizations—particularly those that protect the rights of women and girls—that can access affected communities. Our current partner, Women’s Alliance of Burma, is mobilizing relief efforts for displaced persons and communities affected by airstrikes in Saigaing and Magway. They can be contacted at [email protected] to make donations that will go directly to providing essential items for women and girls in need.