IsraAID supporting safe water and mental health needs after Myanmar quake

IsraAID, Israel’s leading nongovernmental humanitarian aid organization, is providing emergency support to communities in Myanmar following last month’s devastating earthquakes. Working with local partners, IsraAID has distributed essential hygiene and sanitation items, including water filters, mosquito nets, and jerry cans, to affected communities in Mandalay and the surrounding area. 

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on March 28, followed minutes later by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock. At least 3,700 people were reported killed and an additional 4,800 injured. Since the earthquakes, over 140 aftershocks – some as high as magnitude 5.9 – have been felt, exacerbating mental health needs and disrupting aid efforts. The epicenters lay near Mandalay and Sagaing cities, with effects felt throughout the region. Mandalay is the country’s second largest city, and Sagaing region is home to some 1.6 million internally displaced persons amid the country’s ongoing civil conflict.   

IsraAID’s emergency response team, which deployed just days after the earthquake, includes experts in emergency response, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Health, and Psychosocial Support. The organization immediately launched an urgent needs assessment. Together with local partners, initial aid distributions focused on providing urgently needed water and sanitation items, hygiene kits, sanitary pads, and more, to thousands of people in the affected areas. The ongoing response will focus on improving access to safe water, sanitation, and psychosocial support for affected communities in central Myanmar – including through borehole repairs and psychosocial support capacity building for first responders and local partners. 

IsraAID has extensive experience in earthquake response. In recent years IsraAID has responded to earthquakes in Morocco, Türkiye, Haiti, Indonesia, Nepal, Italy, Japan, and more. The organization’s global team of around 400 people across 10+ countries is focused on working together with crisis-affected communities for as long as we are needed.   

IsraAID’s Head of Mission in Myanmar, Tali Groshaus, said:  

“With over 3,700 people killed, thousands more injured, and millions impacted, these earthquakes have been absolutely devastating. The enormous damage to roads and infrastructure and ongoing aftershocks create additional challenges for communities that have already lost so much. Our team, which includes both local and international experts, is committed to standing by affected communities as they begin the long road to recovery. We’ve been incredibly moved by the kindness and resilience of the local communities, and the incredible response efforts by community-based groups that we’ve been lucky enough to partner with. Following initial assessments, we’ve seen an urgent need for safe water, sanitation, and psychosocial support – and these areas are our initial focus. As in any emergency, we will stay for as long as communities need us.” 

Donations can be made to IsraAID’s Emergency Appeal here. 

-ENDS- 

Further information is available on request, including interviews with members of IsraAID’s emergency team in Myanmar. 

PHOTOS: 

Photographs of IsraAID’s work in Myanmar are available for use and download here. All photos should be credited to IsraAID

CONTACT:
 
Shachar May
Email: [email protected]  

Notes:

IsraAID is a leading international humanitarian non-governmental organization, based in Israel. Since 2001, IsraAID has become synonymous with a rapid response to humanitarian crises and a long-term commitment to working with affected communities. During and after emergencies, IsraAID partners with communities to re-build their lives – and their futures – together. As of April 2025, IsraAID has responded to more than 100 emergencies, in more than 65 countries.