The 7.7-magnitude earthquake that hit Myanmar on March 28th has killed thousands of people and upended the lives of millions more, including at least 173,855 pregnant women living in affected areas, many of whom have lost access to lifesaving reproductive health services.
The earthquake plunged Myanmar - already severely impacted by violence as its civil war continues - deeper into humanitarian crisis. The cities of Sagaing, Mandalay and Naypyidaw were worst-affected with widespread damage to buildings, including health clinics and hospitals. Affected areas are facing a critical shortage of medicines and medical equipment, as well as clean water, food, shelter and other survival essentials.
"Birth does not stop, even in an earthquake," said UNFPA Representative in Myanmar, Jaime Nadal Roig. "UNFPA teams are working night and day to ensure that women and girls get the lifesaving support they need. We cannot allow this crisis to take away from women's rights, their safety, or their futures."
UNFPA has allocated US$500,000 from its Emergency Fund to address the urgent needs of affected women and girls. UNFPA's rapid response team is on the ground in Mandalay coordinating with partners to distribute dignity kits with essential hygiene supplies, and clean delivery kits to support safe births. A clinic on a boat supported by UNFPA has resumed operations in Mandalay, and three mobile health teams have been deployed to deliver primary health care, reproductive health services, and emergency medical response in impacted areas.
However, a lack of power and water, and challenges with access, damaged infrastructure, and resupplying of kits are hindering aid delivery. Further funds are also desperately needed for UNFPA and all UN agencies to scale up.
UNFPA calls upon the international community to urgently support lifesaving efforts in Myanmar. All humanitarian response agencies must also be ensured unhindered humanitarian access to people in need in line with humanitarian principles.
