From horror to hope—Myanmar 4 months later

Rising from the rubble in Myanmar

Stillness reigned in 10-year-old Wai’s school as students sank deep into their afternoon naps. But it wasn’t to last. Ten kilometres beneath the ground a gargantuan plate of rock began to shift.

“Children woke to the violent shaking,” recalled Yn Oo, a teacher at this school in the Mandalay Region. “We sprinted to protect them with our bodies.” Dust filled everyone’s eyes. Rubble blocked their exits. They shouted until community members rushed to dig them out.

Your impact in the aftermath

Four months after the earthquake, World Vision is helping thousands of families survive and heal. With 700 staff in Myanmar, we were well positioned to spring into action. Our round-the-clock work has continued strong.

From Canada, donor response to the crisis was swift and generous. Here’s some of the impact Myanmar Response supporters have helped to make:

• 174,265 people received essential food items such as rice, instant noodles and dry food

• 511,900 litres of drinking water provided

• 11,511 most vulnerable people received multi-purpose cash assistance, in partnership with World Food Programme

• 6,609 people including children and caretakers, reached through child protection initiatives and awareness sessions

• 2,478 children reached through child-focused activities like reading, storytelling and games

• 16,316 hygiene kits distributed with essentials such as soap, toothpaste, and sanitary pads

• 4,833 people benefited from recovery loans totaling CAD 528,899 through our microfinance service provider, VisionFund

Pushing through the trauma

For children like Wai, the earthquake claimed more than the chance to learn. It robbed children of the sense of normalcy so critical in a crisis. It distanced them from school staff who had listened and cared.

In response, World Vision quickly launched emergency learning activities in places safe from shifting rubble. These included “child-friendly libraries” in affected areas.

"These libraries are more than just spaces to read," explained Shwe Sin Chal, an education expert with World Vision. “They offer psychosocial support and help children cope with trauma.”

Now, Wai and many others visit welcoming spaces with books and games. Trained staff are there to support recovery and help children heal. “I hope we get more fun libraries, reading clubs and story times,” Wai said with a smile.

Every day is a battle

The March 28 earthquake destroyed thousands of homes, claiming lives and inflicting injuries. Many families have battled to get through the days.

“I fractured my spine,” said Aye, a mother of two. She and her daughter had clung together under a table while their walls collapsed around them. Now they live in a make-shift tarpaulin shelter.

Sandar, a mother of three, cried when describing life since the quake. “My house was badly tilted … now, the roof leaks. We can’t sleep when it rains. We just sit together, feeling helpless.”

Strength for the recovery

Wai, Aye and Sandar are just three of the reasons your donations to the Myanmar response have been so critical.

“The rice provided by World Vision is a vital support for us,” said Sandar. “We’ve also received essential items such as soap and toothpaste, which have been a tremendous help.”

Aye described the care she’s received from World Vision, including food, drinking water, bed sheets and sleeping mats. The first tools to start all over again.

Together with you, we’ve done so much more than keep children learning and put food in empty cooking pots. We’ve reminded families that they are not alone. We’ve helped give them the strength to keep going.

Thank you for standing with the children and families of Myanmar.