Myanmar: Two strong earthquakes hit six regions, communications and transport impacted as aid agencies monitor damage

Save the Children is monitoring the impact of two strong earthquakes which struck Myanmar at about midday local time. The earthquake was felt in many parts of the country, including major cities like Yangon, and Mandalay, and towns in Magway, Sagaing, and Shan, with tremors destroying Thailand and felt elsewhere in the region.

Myanmar’s six impacted regions and states – Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, Bago, Shan, and Naypyidaw – are home to over 28 million people, including an estimated 6.7 million children.

Initial reports indicate numerous casualties in both countries, though the exact numbers also cannot be verified due to blocked roads and downed communications.

Jeremy Stoner, Acting Asia Regional Director at Save the Children, said: “While the extent of the earthquake damage is still unclear, we know children are the most vulnerable following disaster. Our teams are moving quickly to check all our staff are safe, and to respond to the emergency, but it’s crucial that the international community acts now to provide support to the thousands of people in need. It will be essential that children are prioritized in any response, as they may be experiencing a natural disaster for the first time, facing trauma from loss or separation from their parents and families. From our experience in emergencies, we know they will need immediate shelter and should be kept safe from harm. Save the Children will launch the humanitarian response if there is a need to do so, and at this moment, we are making the best effort to meet the needs of children and their families affected by the earthquake.”

Save the Children has been working in Myanmar since 1995, providing life-saving healthcare, food and nutrition, education, and child protection programs.