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Donation Report

Supporting Myanmar Relief Efforts

🇲🇲 Myanmar Earthquake Emergency Response 2025 Comprehensive Impact Report Myanmar Association of Hawaii (MAOH)

On 28 March 2025, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, causing widespread structural collapse, civilian casualties, and displacement across Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, and Inle (Shan State). The earthquake compounded an already severe humanitarian crisis characterized by protracted armed conflict, restricted humanitarian access, weakened public health systems, and economic instability.In response, the Myanmar Association of Hawaii (MAOH) mobilized emergency financial support through a community-based fundraising initiative in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. All funds raised were directed toward immediate life-saving assistance and early recovery programming through vetted local implementation partners operating in affected areas.To date, MAOH has facilitated three primary humanitarian streams, totaling a comprehensive multi-sectoral response:

  • Emergency Commodity Relief: MMK 22,250,000 allocated for life-saving medical supplies, food assistance, and hygiene materials in Sagaing and Mandalay.

  • Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA): MMK 47,200,000 disbursed to 472 earthquake-affected households, including 232 pregnant women, implemented in partnership with a local organization.

  • Integrated Recovery & Infrastructure: MMK 21,800,000 allocated for shelter reconstruction, solar energy installation, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) improvements in a village, implemented through a foundation.

 

This intervention combined emergency relief with targeted protection for vulnerable populations and infrastructure recovery in high-risk, conflict-affected environments.

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1. Executive Summary

2. Humanitarian Context and Operational Environment

The March 28 earthquake, the most powerful to strike Myanmar in over a century occurred amidst a pre-existing complex humanitarian emergency. The destruction of the historic Ava Bridge and major arterial roads isolated vulnerable communities, while concurrent civil conflict hampered search-and-rescue operations.

In the Sagaing and Mandalay regions, urban and peri-urban populations faced immediate health risks due to the collapse of medical facilities. In the Inle (Shan State) region, traditional stilt housing systems over Inle Lake were decimated, leaving hundreds of families inhabiting temporary maritime shelters (rafts and boats) with no access to sanitation or clean water.

Preliminary field reports indicated:

  • Hundreds of homes destroyed or rendered uninhabitable

  • Community displacement in both urban and rural areas

  • Damage to health facilities operating under pre-existing conflict constraints

  • Increased vulnerability among pregnant women, elderly individuals, and low-income households

  • Heightened risk of communicable diseases due to overcrowding and poor sanitation conditions

The humanitarian situation was further compounded by ongoing armed conflict, restricted mobility due to military checkpoints, and intermittent airstrikes in affected areas. These conditions significantly constrained humanitarian access and service delivery.

Communities in Sagaing and Mandalay reported acute needs in shelter, food security, sanitation, maternal health services, and emergency medical supplies. In Inlay, where many houses are traditionally constructed over water, structural collapse left entire households without safe accommodation, forcing families to reside temporarily on boats and makeshift bamboo platforms.

3. Organizational Overview

The Myanmar Association of Hawaii (MAOH) is a community-based organization committed to supporting humanitarian, cultural, and social initiatives benefiting Myanmar communities locally and abroad.In response to the March 28 earthquake, MAOH mobilized its network in Hawai‘i to organize an emergency fundraising initiative to support affected populations in Myanmar through trusted local partners operating in the impacted regions.MAOH ensured that:

  • 100% of raised funds were directed to humanitarian assistance

  • Administrative and banking costs were covered separately by MAOH board members

  • Funds were transferred through accountable local partners with field presence

 

4. Fundraising Initiative: Thingyan Community Solidarity Event

To mobilize emergency support, MAOH organized a community fundraising event in conjunction with the celebration of Thingyan (Myanmar New Year), transforming a traditional cultural gathering into a solidarity-based humanitarian response.

Event Details

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Title: Thingyan Community Fundraiser for Myanmar Earthquake Relief
Date: April 19, 2025
Time: 4:30 PM (Registration), Program at 5:00 PM
Location: Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin Temple
1727 Pali Highway, Honolulu, HI 96813

The event brought together members of the Myanmar diaspora and broader Hawai‘i community to celebrate renewal and collective responsibility. Funds raised during the event were allocated to emergency response efforts in Sagaing, Mandalay, and Inlay.

5. Humanitarian Stream One: Emergency Commodity Relief

Sagaing and Mandalay Regions

3.1 Financial Allocation

MMK 22,250,000

3.2 Intervention Rationale

Immediately following the earthquake, affected communities experienced acute shortages of food, medical supplies, and sanitation materials. Overcrowded displacement conditions and damaged water systems increased the risk of communicable disease outbreaks, including water-borne and vector-borne illnesses.

Emergency commodity relief was prioritized to stabilize immediate survival conditions and reduce secondary public health risks.

3.3 Activities Implemented

Funds were utilized to procure and distribute:

  • Essential medicines and trauma-related medical supplies

  • Mosquito control materials and preventive health items

  • Hygiene products including soap, toothpaste, and hand sanitizers

  • Rain protection materials (raincoats and umbrellas)

  • Staple food commodities and ready-to-consume items

Distribution was coordinated through local partners with established community access. Despite movement restrictions and periodic security threats, assistance reached targeted populations in high-need zones.

Figure 1.1: Displaced community members in the Sagaing Region queue for a multi-sectoral relief distribution. Items provided include essential hygiene kits (soap, toothpaste, and sanitizer), rain protection gear for the monsoon season, and emergency food rations.

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3.4 Outcomes

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The intervention:

  • Mitigated immediate food insecurity among displaced households

  • Reduced exposure to rain and environmental hazards

  • Lowered disease transmission risks through hygiene promotion

  • Supported overstretched community-level health response efforts

6. Humanitarian Stream Two: Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA)

Sagaing and Mandalay Regions

Implemented with a local organization 

6.1 Financial Allocation

MMK 47,200,000

6.2 Beneficiary Reach

  • 472 earthquake-affected households

  • Including 232 pregnant women prioritized for targeted support

6.3 Strategic Approach

In a complex emergency environment, multipurpose cash assistance was selected to maximize flexibility, dignity, and efficiency. Cash transfers allowed households to determine their own priority needs in a rapidly changing context.

Pregnant women were prioritized due to elevated health risks following the collapse or disruption of maternal healthcare services. Many facilities were damaged, transportation routes were obstructed, and medical costs became prohibitive for low-income families.

Figure 1.2: Pregnant women and earthquake-affected households queue to receive multipurpose cash assistance funded by MAOH and complemented by local partner contributions. The grants were intended to cover urgent maternal healthcare needs, life-saving medical treatment, emergency transportation, and essential household survival expenses.

6.4 Utilization of Funds

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Post-distribution monitoring indicated that beneficiaries used funds to:

  • Purchase food and nutritional supplements

  • Access antenatal care services and diagnostic screenings

  • Pay for emergency medical treatment

  • Secure transportation for safe delivery

  • Conduct minor housing repairs

  • Cover urgent household survival costs

6.5 Protection and System Strengthening Impact

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By integrating emergency financial assistance within MTYC’s existing maternal health framework, MAOH’s funding extended beyond short-term relief. The intervention contributed to:

  • Continuity of antenatal care for high-risk pregnancies

  • Reduction of preventable maternal and neonatal complications

  • Stabilization of vulnerable households during acute displacement

  • Modest stimulation of local market systems

7. Humanitarian Stream Three: Integrated Recovery & Infrastructure

Inle Region, Shan State
Implemented through local community partners

 

7.1 Financial Allocation

MMK 21,800,000


 

7.2 Context

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Following the 28 March earthquake, over-water communities in the Inle region experienced widespread structural collapse of residential housing. Approximately 250 homes and three monasteries were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable. Many families were forced to reside on boats and temporary bamboo platforms, exposing them to environmental hazards, protection concerns, and heightened public health risks.

With the monsoon season approaching, rapid reconstruction was critical to prevent prolonged displacement and secondary humanitarian impacts.

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7.3 Intervention Overview: Shelter, Solar Energy, and WASH

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MAOH funding supported integrated recovery efforts focused on safe shelter reconstruction, basic solar energy access, and essential WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) improvements.

Twenty households were selected based on vulnerability criteria, including:

  • Complete destruction of housing

  • Extreme economic hardship

  • Elderly-headed households

  • Families with young children

Reconstruction activities included:

  • Rebuilding reinforced bamboo homes

  • Installation of high-grade zinc roofing for monsoon resistance

  • Strengthened structural framing to improve flexibility during future seismic activity

  • Transportation of materials by boat due to water-based geography

  • Installation of small-scale solar energy units in areas with damaged electrical infrastructure

  • Basic WASH improvements to reduce post-disaster health risks

The rebuilt homes incorporated reinforced structural approaches to improve resilience against future environmental shocks.

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7.4  Implementation Modality

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Construction materials were procured locally to support regional supply chains and ensure cost-efficiency.

All rebuilding efforts were carried out entirely by community volunteers. No wages or labor payments were provided. This volunteer-led approach ensured that 100% of allocated funds were directed toward construction materials, transport, solar components, and essential WASH improvements, thereby maximizing direct beneficiary impact while strengthening community ownership.

8. Conclusion
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The March 28 earthquake exacerbated an already fragile humanitarian environment in Myanmar. Through community mobilization in Hawai‘i and collaboration with trusted local partners, MAOH contributed to life-saving interventions, maternal health support, and shelter reconstruction.

The Thingyan fundraising initiative demonstrated the strength of diaspora solidarity and collective responsibility in responding to crisis. While significant humanitarian needs remain, this response delivered immediate relief, restored dignity, and strengthened resilience among affected communities.

To our supporters in Hawai‘i and beyond, Mahalo for your generosity, compassion, and trust. Your solidarity has made a measurable and meaningful impact in the lives of earthquake-affected families in Myanmar.

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