Children struggling to recover from Myanmar's deadly earthquake one year later
YANGON (March 28, 2026) – Children who lost homes and loved ones a year ago in Myanmar’s devastating earthquake are struggling to come to terms with the crisis. Save the Children calls for humanitarian needs in the country not to be overlooked.
The powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar with its epicenter located near the cities of Mandalay and Sagaing. It, caused extensive destruction, killing more than 3,800 people1 and leaving 6.3 million in need of assistance in the immediate aftermath.2
Some children lost loved ones. Others still bear the mental scars of having lived through the terrifying disaster — the country’s biggest earthquake in generations.
Save the Children and its partners have a presence in most of the earthquake-affected areas in Myanmar and were among the first to help affected children and families, providing essential lifesaving emergency relief items.
The children’s charity helped to set up safe spaces for children to play and recover and provided mental health and psychosocial support to nearly 30,000 people, including over 9,000 children, to help them overcome the traumatic experience.
Myat Nyein,* 16, from Shan State, lost his mother during the earthquake. He said he misses her, particularly when it’s time to do homework, as she always used to help him.
Myat Nyein* said:
“I think I have changed a lot over the past year since the earthquake. I was a bit playful before, but I am not now. I feel like I have suddenly become an adult. After losing my mother, I cannot go out and have fun with friends as I used to. I also need to help my father, care for my elderly grandmother, and look after my brother.”
Myat Nyein’s family sheltered at a local monastery for a few months before they were able to return to their partially repaired house.
Save the Children provided Myat Nyein’s* family with immediate emergency lifesaving support, including food and water, after the earthquake. Myat Nyein* and his younger brother received mental health and psychosocial support to ensure their overall well-being and received health and education support.
Many homes and schools were destroyed during the earthquake, forcing families and children to live and learn in temporary shelters, although most have since returned to their homes.
Arshad Malik, Asia Regional Director for Save the Children, stressed the importance of long-term support for children in Myanmar.
“Myanmar’s earthquake might have been over in mere moments but the impacts of a disaster like that reverberate long after tragedy strikes. Children in Myanmar are still dealing with fear, grief, and loss. The work that our teams have done on the ground amid very challenging circumstances shows how important it is that we put children’s needs first following a disaster—not only in the first hours and days but in the months and years after. Rebuilding lives doesn’t happen overnight and takes sustained support.”
Save the Children and its partners distributed food, drinking water, and emergency kits containing blankets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, personal hygiene items, tarpaulin, and rope for temporary shelters after the earthquake. One year on, Save the Children’s response has reached over 275,000 people, including about 80,000 children.
Save the Children and partners also screened and treated children for malnutrition and provided emergency health care and first aid medical services, including treatment for communicable diseases and maternal health care services. The charity also repaired damaged water points.
Myanmar remains one of the countries in Asia-Pacific with the highest humanitarian needs and essential services remain under pressure—particularly in communities already affected by armed conflict and displacement. 16.2 million people—more than 45% of the population—need lifesaving assistance and protection services, including 5 million children.3
Save the Children has worked in Myanmar since 1995, providing lifesaving health care, food and nutrition, education, and child protection programs.
###
*Name changed to protect anonymity
References:
[1] Myanmar: Earthquake Response Situation Report No. 4 (OCHA)
Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we've been advocating for the rights of children worldwide. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming the future we share. Our results, financial statements and charity ratings reaffirm that Save the Children is a charity you can trust. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and YouTube.