Myanmar Earthquake | BRAC teams deliver critical aid: How to help

A pair of BRAC staffers meet with people impacted by the Myanmar earthquake and explain the aid items they are offering.

 
BRAC teams in Myanmar continue to respond to the worst earthquake to hit the country in more than a century. The death toll has surged above 3,600 with another 5,000 people injured. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OCHA, 17.2 million people live in impacted areas, facing needs such as food, drinking water, healthcare, cash assistance and shelter.

BRAC’s 510-person team in Myanmar rapidly assessed how their clients and partners fared during the disaster. They have been assembling aid packages to provide relief. On Sunday April 6, a team delivered critical aid to 200 families in the hardest-hit regions of Sagaing and Mandalay.
 

Just $50 can provide an aid package to a family

 
“I’m seeing the destruction that took people’s lives,” Md Sazaduzzaman, Managing Director of BRAC Myanmar reports from the worst-hit areas. “We’re trying to give support to people in need. Our staff are also suffering, but they’re trying to recover their trauma with the call of humanity and trying to support our clients.”

His teams met with clients and participants in the areas of Pyawbwe, Yamethin, Chan Mya Thazi, Sagaing, and Amarapura, and delivered emergency support. Many residential buildings have either completely collapsed or were severely damaged. Over 70% of structures have significant damage in Sagaing and Amarapura. In addition, rescue operations were hampered by a lack of heavy machinery to clear the rubble from collapsed buildings.

“There’s a heavy need [here] for shelters, home repairs, and restarting of livelihoods,” Sazad adds. “[The people] are really, really committed, and want to prove again that they are resilient.”

Each BRAC package includes essentials like rice, a variety of ready-made food packets, sanitary napkins, basic medicines, electrolyte powder, oral rehydration salts, and a mosquito net. 
 

BRAC disaster aid packages.

 
First responders are facing several challenges. Widespread damage to infrastructure has complicated aid efforts, while heavy rain and storms slowed down responders on Sunday and remain in the forecast for the days ahead.

Thanks to the generosity of donors, BRAC’s dedicated first responders will continue to support communities in need, for however long it takes. Our staff—even those who themselves have been directly impacted by the earthquake—are deeply dedicated, doing all they can to help others who urgently need it.

Later this week, the team will begin providing cash support to affected clients, hundreds of whom partially or completely lost their homes.

Millions of people are still in need of critical aid. Donor support is critical to deliver urgent food, medicine, and more. Rush your gift today to send a lifeline to families affected by the Myanmar Earthquake.
 

$50 can provide an aid package, or cash support.