One month after the earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, AVSI staff has managed to assist over 2,500 families in Nyaungshwe district, Shan State, about 200 kilometers from the epicenter. Thanks to a network of local partners, we were able to respond within hours of the quake, reaching seven villages around Inle Lake where more than 70% of homes - mostly built on stilts - were either destroyed or severely damaged.
In this first emergency phase, we distributed water, food, and essential supplies such as mattresses, blankets, tents, and hygiene kits. But it's not enough: many people who lost their homes have been living on boats or in the open air since Friday, March 28.
“When the earthquake struck, I was at home having lunch with my son. Suddenly, the floor collapsed and we fell into the water, swimming to avoid falling debris from our house. The whole building came down, and I have to rebuild everything. We have lost it all. This is a very difficult time.”
Zaw Min Htay, resident of a village on Inle Lake
The beginning of the rainy season
With the monsoon season approaching - bringing heavy rains from May to September - building shelters and safe housing for displaced families is becoming increasingly urgent. AVSI has already started distributing plastic sheeting to protect damaged homes from water infiltration. This will be followed by cash assistance, enabling families to purchase materials needed to rebuild their homes.
The earthquake also damaged many water infrastructures, increasing the risk of water contamination and outbreaks of diseases like cholera. To prevent this, AVSI is ensuring the distribution of clean drinking water and the installation of sinks in homes.
All of this is possible thanks to our team of 30 staff members on the ground, who continue to work despite movement restrictions caused by infrastructure damage, communication challenges, power outages, and ongoing clashes between the army and opposition groups:
“In the days immediately following the earthquake, the situation was very critical due to continued fighting and even airstrikes near some of our project areas. This clearly posed serious risks to humanitarian workers and delayed relief efforts. The situation has since improved, though risks still remain.”
Guido Calvi, AVSI Project Manager
The Earthquake in Numbers and the Impact of Tariffs
According to official figures, the earthquake affected 2 million people. There were 3,700 deaths, 4,800 injuries, and the destruction of 1,800 schools and 41,000 homes: numbers that are even more devastating given the country’s ongoing crisis, now worsened by new U.S. tariffs.
Myanmar is facing a 44% export tariff, one of the highest imposed by the U.S. administration.
This comes as a heavy blow to a nation already crippled by the 2021 military coup. Even before the earthquake, one in two people required humanitarian aid, and the average daily income was just one dollar.
The textile sector, employing over 500,000 people, mostly women, is among the hardest hit by the new tariffs.
In this context, the imposition of tariffs further deepens the Country’s economic struggles, threatening food security and social stability.
AVSI's call to action
“Even before the earthquake, Myanmar had over 3.5 million internally displaced people. Our approach, as in other conflict zones, is to move as quickly as possible from an emergency response to a medium- and long-term strategy, helping communities return to a sense of normalcy. Our appeal - concludes Calvi - is this: do not forget Myanmar. The earthquake briefly drew the world’s attention to this Country. Now it is crucial not to look away.”