World Vision ramps up Myanmar Earthquake response to answer children’s needs 

“Food, water, blankets, tarpaulins, soap, towels, sanitary pads, cooking utensils are all leaving World Vision Emergency Response Hubs – but we need more help”

Press statement, Friday 4th April 2025 

World Vision – the largest children’s charity in the world – is ramping up its Myanmar emergency response to ensure the children caught up in Myanmar’s 7.7 magnitude earthquake on 28th March, are kept safe. World Vision has 500 staff that work in Myanmar and began immediate emergency response efforts as soon as the earthquake hit. They are now scaling efforts to try to cope with the growing demands and appealing for donations to ensure the spiralling needs are met. 

“When children are caught up in emergencies they are dangerously vulnerable – they can become separated from their parents, and they are also more susceptible to getting ill due to lack of food and water, especially in the soaring temperatures Myanmar is experiencing right now” said World Vision CEO, Fola Komolafe. “The trauma of seeing their homes, their schools, their communities completely demolished can stay with children for months and years, so organisations like ours step in to help them navigate that too.” 

World Vision is beginning its relief efforts in four townships close to the epicentre of the quake in Mandalay region, where it had already been working through its child sponsorship programmes. 

Emergency food and water are leaving World Vision’s Emergency Hubs to distribute to locals – many of whom are now living outside on the street. Emergency shelters, tarpaulins, cooking utensils, and hygiene and dignity kits are being handed out. These include soap, towels, hairbrushes, sanitary pads, bin bags and washing lines to give families who have lost everything basic survival equipment. 

Children are the focus of World Vision’s response, and emergency Child Friendly Spaces are also being established in several areas.

“Child Friendly Spaces are a hugely important part of our response work with children.” continues Fola. “World Vision set them up immediately in whatever safe location is possible to provide a safe haven for parents and caregivers to bring their children. These child-friendly zones staffed by trained World Vision employees, protect children from the horrors of the outside world, creating some normalcy amongst the terrifying chaos and devastation surrounding them. Educational activities, games and creative activities are provided, alongside access to mental health support, food and drink, and access to additional services that parents might need.” 

World Vision is providing vital assistance to children like 14-year-old Zu Zu who experienced huge trauma during the earthquake: “I was so scared I couldn't even scream as I slid from the bathroom to the bottom of the house. The whole house tilted and became dangerous, so now I'm staying with a neighbour. Right now, I really need food and basic supplies.” 

Over 3,000 people are now confirmed to have died since the quake, with many more injured. The spread of illness and disease is a major concern for aid organisations responding, with access to clean water critically scarce. People in Myanmar were already facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with more than 19 million people – over a third of the population - in need of humanitarian assistance before the earthquake hit. One in four people already did not have enough to eat. Now the situation is even more critical. 

World Vision plans to reach 500,000 people over the next six months and will put children at the centre of their response.  

It has launched an emergency appeal, alongside the Disaster Emergencies Committee (DEC).

About World Vision’s emergencies work 

Children’s lives can change in an instant in the wake of war, disasters and humanitarian emergencies. We see how vulnerable they are and how much they need protection. And the need is only growing. 

Today, there are more than double the number of emergencies than there were ten years ago. Climate change is unleashing natural disasters faster, for longer and with longer-lasting consequences for children and their families. The needs are greater, and so the response must be too. 

With 75 years of experience working in emergencies, World Vision has the learning, infrastructure and global network to help millions of vulnerable children in the world’s most dangerous places - especially in times of unexpected crisis. 

Thanks to our supporters, when disaster strikes, our response teams are there, quickly supporting people – and we stay to help children, families, and communities rebuild their lives. 

Within 72 hours of a disaster, we can deliver lifesaving supplies anywhere in the world - often even sooner.  

ENDS 

For more information, case studies, assets, and interviews, please contact  Louise Amodio: louise.amodio@worldvision.org.uk / 07957 111780

Spokespeople available in Myanmar. 

Editors Notes:  

At World Vision, our focus is on helping the world’s most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. For 75 years, we have worked together with communities – of all faiths and none – even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith. Thanks to our supporters globally, we work in almost 100 countries and have changed the lives of over 200 million children in the past five years alone.  

When you give to World Vision, you know your donations will be well spent, for the greatest impact. We always work alongside communities, with a focus on the most vulnerable children and families helping them overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. So, you know your donations will go to the children in greatest need.  

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