- More than 3.5 million people are internally
displaced following the earthquake and ongoing internal
conflict - Children and families are
struggling to survive, and are without shelter, food, or
medical care, while enduring immense physical and emotional
trauma, putting them at risk of abuse - One
third of the population requires urgent humanitarian aid as
a lack of food, clean water and sanitation pose serious
health issues in the coming weeks
Global
humanitarian organisation, World Vision, is warning that
children left homeless and separated from family following
the recent earthquake in Myanmar are at increased risk of
abuse and exploitation.
Last Saturday, central Myanmar
was rocked by a massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake, which
shook buildings as far away as Thailand, Laos, Bangladesh,
China and Vietnam. The reported death toll is currently in
the thousands.
In the hardest-hit areas of Mandalay,
Sagaing, Nay Pyi Taw, and parts of southern Shan State, many
people are sleeping outdoors and fearing aftershocks and
further building collapses. Thousands have been left
homeless, while also struggling to access clean water,
sanitation, and essential services.
The earthquake has
worsened an already severe humanitarian crisis in Myanmar
where nearly half the population were living in poverty and
more than 3.5 million people were internally
displaced.
Grant Bayldon, National Director of
World Vision New Zealand, says the earthquake is a
devastating blow for struggling children and families in
Myanmar.
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“This is a crisis on top of a crisis.
Prior to this earthquake children and communities in Myanmar
were already suffering greatly. After the quake, their
suffering is immense. They are in desperate need of
humanitarian assistance – not only to support them with
their immediate needs, but to ensure that they have the
capacity and capability to rebuild following the devastation
this quake has delivered.”
World Vision
Myanmar’s National Director Dr Kyi Minn says as always
children are the most at risk when disaster
strikes.
“Children in
disaster-stricken areas are among the most vulnerable. In
Myanmar, these children were already exposed to numerous
hardships. Now, many are homeless, and some have been
separated from their families, putting them at greater risk
of abuse.”
Dr Minn says right now
emergency response efforts are focused on addressing the
urgent needs of affected communities, but child protection
must also be a top priority.
“Conflict, natural
disasters and other emergencies expose children to increased
risk of violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect. Sadly,
there are some people who will prey on this increased
vulnerability and take advantage of children at a time when
they most need support and
protection.
“Children are in danger of
potential injury and even death. Girls are particularly at
risk as the threat of gender-based violence increases. As a
child-focused organisation, the safety and protection of
children is World Vision’s main priority and will be
central in our response to this
emergency.”
World Vision has launched a rapid
assessment of the hardest-hit areas in the Mandalay region
and has begun distributing essential aid, including food,
clean water, and temporary shelters.
The organisation
is also working to provide healthcare, sanitation, and
mental health support for affected children and their
families.
“It is critical that children return to
a sense of normalcy as soon as possible. They need safe
homes, access to education, and protection from the risks of
child labour, early marriage, and other forms of abuse and
exploitation. We must act urgently to ensure that children
are safe and have the opportunity to rebuild their lives, so
they can enjoy the bright futures they deserve,” says
Dr Minn.
World Vision aims to support 500,000 people,
including 200,000 children, with a $5 million dollar
response in the most affected areas and is urging the
international community to mobilise resources for both
immediate relief and long-term recovery
efforts.
Bayldon says more funding is crucial if we
are to ensure that all vulnerable children and families are
supported for a sustainable recovery.
To donate to the
appeal, visit worldvision.org.nz/myanmar-give
