On 28 March 2025, a 7.7‑magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, with devastating impacts across Sagaing and Mandalay regions. Thousands of homes, schools, health facilities, roads and water systems were damaged or destroyed, leaving families without shelter, safe water or access to essential services.
As of early April, more than 2,700 people were reported killed, 4,500 injured, and hundreds remain missing. The true scale of the disaster is likely higher due to disrupted communications. An estimated 6.2 million people live in areas severely affected by the quake, with Mandalay among the worst hit.
This disaster struck a country already facing a protracted humanitarian crisis driven by conflict and displacement. Mandalay hosts large numbers of internally displaced people and has experienced repeated damage to critical infrastructure in recent years.
How World Vision is responding
World Vision is delivering an emergency earthquake response in Amarapura and Tada‑U townships in Mandalay Region, working with trusted local partners Sopyay Myanmar Development Organization (SMDO) and Community Development Association (CDA).
The response will support 1,047 earthquake‑affected households, reaching 5,235 people, including:
- 2,053 women and girls
- 1,821 men
- 1,361 children
- People with disabilities, older people and injured household members
The project ran from April to August 2025 and was funded by Irish Aid.
What support are families receiving?
The response focuses on immediate survival needs, combining cash assistance with emergency water supply to reduce health risks and restore dignity.
Support includes:
- Multipurpose cash assistance to help families buy food, water, shelter materials and medical care
- Emergency water supply for households whose water sources were damaged
- Hygiene messaging to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks
Cash assistance allows families to prioritise their most urgent needs at a time when options are limited, while also supporting the recovery of local markets that are partially functioning after the earthquake.
Who is prioritised?
The response prioritises people most at risk, including:
- Displaced families
- Female‑headed households
- Older people
- People with disabilities
- Households with injured members
Community committees are involved in beneficiary selection to ensure transparency, fairness and a Do No Harm approach.
Protection, dignity and accountability
Women, children and people with disabilities face heightened protection risks following the earthquake, particularly as schools and public buildings are being used as temporary shelters.
World Vision and partners apply strong safeguarding and accountability measures, including:
- Gender‑sensitive and inclusive programming
- Community help desks and feedback mechanisms
- Complaints and referral pathways for protection concerns
- Staff training on child safeguarding and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse
All activities are coordinated with UN agencies, local authorities and humanitarian partners to ensure a coherent response and avoid duplication.