Emergency Response: Myanmar Earthquake Relief
On March 28, a 7.7 earthquake struck Myanmar, a country already impacted by complex conflict dynamics, where more than 3 million people have already fled their homes in search of safety. In the days since, more than 200 aftershocks have shaken the region, with more expected in the coming weeks. With monsoon season approaching, the urgency to respond grows even greater.
A Growing Humanitarian Crisis
The price of food has skyrocketed. The price of eggs has increased 10 times in 4 days. Clean water sources have been contaminated. Electricity, phone lines, and internet connection across the country are scarce, making it near impossible to share lifesaving information. The death and injury numbers are growing every day, yet people are sleeping out in the open and many are unable to find their loved ones.
Amid widespread destruction, communities from across different identities are stepping up for one another—bringing water, food, and supplies. However, reaching remote areas remains a major challenge, and ensuring aid reaches everyone fairly and safely is critical.
Nonviolent Peaceforce on the Ground
While access to water, food, and evacuation support are essential, one often-overlooked priority is safety—the safety of both those affected and those responding. Without protection, aid efforts can be chaotic, and those most at risk can be left behind.
Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) has been working in Myanmar since 2012, and we remain here today— supporting community responders so that aid reaches those in need more safely, fairly, and effectively.
The day after the earthquake, our team was already in affected areas, gathering information to understand the biggest challenges people are facing. We are supporting community responses in Yangon, Mandalay, and Sagaing, helping communities with urgent responses that both react responsibly to the crisis and prevent further harm and support long-term recovery.
As our team puts it: “Help without a plan equals another disaster.”
Local volunteers have mobilized quickly, but many lack experience in emergency response. NP is providing guidance and protection strategies to make aid distribution safer and more sustainable.
The need is urgent, and time is running out—especially for civilians in hard-to-reach areas.
How You Can Help
We need to raise $630,000 to sustain our emergency response for the next six months. Though our team is growing, sending additional staff members trained in Unarmed Civilian Protection takes $5,000 USD a month for each full time emergency responder.
Your emergency gift can rush critically needed emergency responders to help crisis-affected populations and will support NP's efforts to provide immediate protection, safety, and access to life-saving humanitarian assistance where it's needed most—quickly, safely, and equitably.