When crisis follows crisis, children need our protection and support more than ever, wherever they are in the world.
In Myanmar, a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake has put children’s lives at risk. It is the strongest earthquake to hit Myanmar in a century. At least six regions and states are impacted, that are home to over 28 million people, including 6.7 million children.
While the true extent of the damage in Myanmar is still unravelling, more than 3,000 people have reportedly died and thousands more injured – many of whom are children.
These figures are only likely to rise over the coming days as search and rescue operations continue. Many are feared to be trapped under the rubble. Some estimates state the death toll could be as high as 10,000. Homes and critical infrastructure, like roads and hospitals have totally collapsed. Many families are now seeking shelter in open spaces, even if their homes are still standing, for fear of aftershocks. Some have no electricity or running water. And with the country in the peak of summer, temperatures are soaring, exposing children to risks of heat stroke or exhaustion.
DONATE NOW TO THE CHILDREN’S EMERGENCY FUND
In times of crises like this, Save the Children is there. We are always among the first organisations to deliver life-saving support for children and their families.
Our Children’s Emergency Fund allows us to respond wherever the need is greatest. It helps us to reach children quickly with the essentials they need to survive.
Our teams are responding alongside local partners to ensure children and their families can get the support they need to mitigate the worst impacts of this disaster. We’re already distributing food and water to impacted communities and working to provide personal hygiene kits and child friendly recreational materials. We have more stocks prepositioned across the country, that are ready to be distributed in the coming days and weeks. This includes kits containing blankets, tarpaulin for makeshift shelters and learning materials for children.
With our local partner, we have started emergency health care and first aid medical services to support impacted communities. Our teams have also started provided mental health and psychosocial support to children who are experiencing fear and shock after the earthquake.
FOREIGN AID CUTS PUT CHILDREN’S LIVES AT RISK
This latest emergency comes at a time when governments across the world are slashing foreign aid budgets, and life-saving services for children and families are under threat.
These cuts put children in emergency situations further at risk. Children in need may arrive at closed health clinics, go without meals, face forced labour or marriage, and suffer trauma alone. The impact is devastating.
With 1 in 11 children globally in need of life-saving assistance, this latest emergency in Myanmar, putmore children in crisis.
Cuts in foreign aid threaten the survival of children today, their wellbeing tomorrow, and the lives of children for generations to come. Your donation now can help change children’s lives.
YOU CAN HELP SAVE LIVES
With your help, Save the Children works with children in some of the most vulnerable circumstances, wherever they are. Over the past 100 years, we’ve been there for children through extraordinary global challenges. We aren’t going to stop now.
The needs are huge, but so is our determination to reach every last child in crisis.
We have the experience to limit the effects of crises, like this latest earthquake in Myanmar, on children's lives - and our Children’s Emergency Fund is the key to unlocking this expertise. Thanks to your support, we can help children in their darkest hour.
Banner caption: At 12:52 PM Yangon time, a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck central Myanmar, causing significant infrastructure damage across the country.
Photo: Community Members / Save the Children.