On 28 March 2025, a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, followed by powerful aftershocks that deepened the destruction and trauma. Over 1,600 people have been reported dead, with thousands injured and widespread damage across Mandalay, Sagaing, Bago, Magway, and Naypyidaw. Homes, hospitals, roads, and airports have been severely damaged, leaving many displaced and living outdoors in fear of ongoing tremors. Access to essential services, such as electricity, water, and communications remains disrupted. The earthquake has compounded an already fragile humanitarian context, putting women and girls — particularly pregnant women and adolescents — at heightened risk.
UNFPA has rapidly mobilized to respond, deploying its Emergency Response Team to Mandalay to coordinate operations and deliver life-saving services. Working with partners, UNFPA is supporting mobile clinics, psychosocial teams, and floating health services to reach isolated and hard-hit communities with sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender-based violence (GBV) programming, in addition to mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) care. Over 22,000 essential supplies, including dignity kits, clean delivery kits, and women’s essential item packages, are being dispatched to meet urgent needs.
UNFPA continues to lead coordination across the GBV, SRH, MHPSS, and GiHA working groups, participating in joint needs assessments, and ensuring that the health, dignity, and protection of women and girls are central to the humanitarian response.
