Many families in Myanmar are still struggling to rebuild their livelihoods. Over 120,000 houses were destroyed or severely damaged, leaving nearly 300,000 people homeless. Numerous individuals continue to live in emergency shelters or temporary accommodations with limited access to drinking water, sanitation facilities, and healthcare. The 7.7 magnitude earthquake claimed over 5,400 lives on 28 March. Disadvantaged groups such as women, children, the elderly, and ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected.
From Short-term to Long-term Assistance
'Helvetas provided immediate survival aid following the disaster. Now we assist the population in rebuilding shelters, restoring their livelihoods, and disaster preparedness to better cope with future risks,' explains Prabin Manandhar, head of the Helvetas office in Myanmar.
In collaboration with local partners, Helvetas supplied over 36,000 people with cash assistance during the first three months to meet their urgent needs.
Helvetas now supports affected individuals with seeds on the one hand; on the other, it engages in the reconstruction and repair of damaged houses: we offer cash for work as well as vocational training. To prevent future disasters, local masons and carpenters are trained in earthquake- resistant construction techniques. This enhances their skills and income opportunities, and the people in the affected regions benefit from safer housing. A focus is placed on supporting families with single mothers.
Press Contact:
Matthias Herfeldt
Head of Communication and Media Spokesperson
044 368 65 48
076 338 59 38
matthias.herfeldt@helvetas.org