Myanmar Earthquake Appeal
A catastrophic earthquake has struck Myanmar. Donate now to support affected communities.
Emergency services and locals respond to the devastation in Myanmar photo credit Chindwin News Agency
Collapsed building in Mandalay City. Photo: Caritas Network.
What is the current situation in Myanmar?
- On March 28, 2025, Myanmar experienced a 7.7 magnitude earthquake, with its epicenter in Sagaing Region, near the center of Myanmar.
- Widespread damage and casualties are expected.
- A state of emergency has been declared in Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, Eastern Shan, Naypyidaw, and Bago regions.
- 1,700 people are confirmed dead with numbers expected to rise.
- There has been significant damage to public buildings and infrastructure.
- Electricity and network lines are down in the Mandalay and Sagaing areas. Phone networks are barely functioning in impacted areas.
- Myanmar is already facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with 19.9 million people – more than a third of the population – in need of humanitarian assistance. The earthquake has exacerbated these challenges, putting additional strain on the country's resources and response capabilities.
- Up to 80% of infrastructure has been destroyed near the epicentre, including two collapsed bridges.
- Many remote areas are cut off and cannot be accessed due to damaged roads and bridges.
- The health system is under extreme pressure, with urgent needs in hospitals and medical facilities.
- The earthquake impacted several countries, including Bangladesh, India, Laos, Thailand, and China.
- One of our partners has a presence on the ground in affected areas and has recently implemented projects in affected regions.
- Caritas staff are all safe. Our partner office in Mandalay suffered some damage during the earthquake and staff homes in Mandalay diocese also collapsed.
Damaged buildings from the Myanmar earthquake. Photo: Caritas Network.
Damage to the road between Mandalay City and Sagaing. Photo: Caritas Network.
What are the major issues facing victims of the Myanmar earthquake?
- Essential infrastructure has been destroyed including roads, bridges, and public buildings like hospitals.
- Ongoing conflict, political and economic turmoil, and natural disasters have already stretched resources to breaking point.
- Millions of people in Myanmar are facing acute food insecurity.
- There is a severe shortage of medical aid.
- Rescue and recovery efforts are being hampered by infrastructure damage and a lack of resources.
Critical needs: what do people in Myanmar need most right now?
The disaster has created an urgent need for:
✔️ Emergency shelter and food for displaced families.
✔️ Clean water and support for hygiene and sanitation.
✔️ Essential medicines, health and psychosocial support.
✔️ Recovery and rescue efforts.
Damaged buildings in Sagaing. Photo: Caritas Network.
This is an active emergency. We will update this page as more information comes to hand.
Our partners on the ground have activated an assessment team to determine the extent of the damage and the critical needs for response. Donate Now
Donate NowSuffering in Myanmar
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake
has caused devastation in Myanmar.
At least 1,700 people
have been killed, with causality numbers expected to rise.
At least 3,400 people
have been injured, with casualty numbers expected to rise.
19.9 million people
in Myanmar were already in need of humanitarian assistance.
The immediate needs include:
Food and water access
Emergency Shelter
Household items including mattresses and blankets
Health and Psychosocial Support
Stand with Myanmar—Donate Today
Your donation can help Myanmar's most vulnerable with emergency shelter, essential supplies, food and water provisions, and health and psychosocial support.
Donate now to help families in Myanmar.
How your donation helps
Humanitarian toll of the Myanmar earthquake
📌 Casualties
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1,700 people are confirmed dead.
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3,400 people have been injured.
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Hundreds of people are missing.
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Numbers are expected to rise in the coming days and weeks.
📌 Humanitarian crisis
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19.9 million people were already in need of humanitarian assistance in Myanmar prior to this disaster.
- The earthquake will put pressure on already scarce resources and exacerbate issues facing the population.
How is Caritas Australia responding to the Myanmar earthquake?
- Our partners are on the ground in Myanmar coordinating a detailed assessment of the extent of the damage and what the ongoing needs will be.
- Partners are responding to the immediate needs of affected communities.
- Ongoing response will likely include emergency shelter, food and clean water access, sanitation and hygiene support, health and psychosocial support, and support for recovery efforts.
- We will update this page as more information becomes available.
Collapsed buildings in Myanmar. Photo: Caritas Network.
Damaged buildings in Sagaing. Photo: Caritas Network.
Our long-term work in Myanmar
- We have worked hand-in-hand with local communities in Myanmar for nearly twenty years.
- The ongoing conflict in Myanmar has forced many people from the country across the borders into neighbouring countries.
- We work with our partners in Myanmar and in the Myanmar-Thailand border to support the most vulnerable communities, particularly women and children, through education and nutritional support.
Social justice for Myanmar
Our work is shaped by the principles of Catholic Social Teaching:
The Dignity of the Human Person
The Common Good
Subsidiarity and Participation
Solidarity
Preferential Option for the Poor
Economic Justice
Care for our Common Home
Promotion of Peace
Emergency Action Alliance
Caritas Australia is a founding member of the Emergency Action Alliance.
By combining our capacity with 15 other leading humanitarian organisations we can turn the care and passion of our supporters into a targeted response to international emergencies.
This allows us to help more people in their greatest moment of need.
FAQ
Your donation will be used to support our partners on the ground in Myanmar to deliver support to vulnerable communities with emergency shelter, health and psychosocial support, and access to clean water, sanitation, food and long-term recovery effort.
Choose an Australian charity that is working in Myanmar or has direct partnerships with organisations that are working in Myanmar that aligns with your values. To ensure your donation is going to be used effectively, check their website to see what percentage of funding goes to programs. Reputable charities will have this information readily available.
You can help people in Myanmar by donating to a charity that is working in Myanmar or has direct partnerships with organisations that are working in Myanmar that aligns with your values. Your voice has power - share links to reputable charity appeals with friends and family, and on social media. You can also contact your local MP to express your views and ask that they send more humanitarian support to Myanmar.
No, our partners on the ground are best placed to decide where funds are directed based on their expertise and first-hand experience of the priority needs of the population, and the current context and access situation.
Our partners have been working on the ground in Myanmar and neigbouring countries for decades providing humanitarian assistance. Our partners are intimately familiar with the context, logisitcs and systems on the ground to ensure donations reach those in need. We have deep experience ensuring donations get where they are needed in a politically-neutral manner. We are DFAT accredited and ACFID signatories, ensuring that we have responsible governance of funds at the highest level.
Yes. All donations over $2 are tax-deductible for Australia.
No, we do not accept donations of goods. Goods can cause logistical issues and block the arrival of much needed aid. Donations of money allow us to ensure that what is arriving is what the population needs, while supporting the local economy.
Yes, we provide aid to those who need it most, regardless of background, religion, gender, sexuality, or political differences. We prioritise the most vulnerable community members including children, the elderly, and people living with disabilities.
Emergency services and locals respond to the devastation in Myanmar. Photo: Credit Chindwin News Agency
Where does my donation go?
The funds you donate to this appeal go to Caritas Australia’s Emergency Response Fund and will be used to provide humanitarian assistance to communities affected by this crisis. Should circumstances prevent us from delivering aid to this emergency, or if excess funds remain after the crisis, donations will be directed to other emergencies where Caritas has humanitarian operations.
