WHO Ramps Up Earthquake Relief Efforts in Myanmar with Nearly 100 Tons of Medical Aid
Myanmar: Stepping up its response to the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, the World Health Organization (WHO) has so far delivered nearly 100 tons of medicines, medical equipment, and tents.
It is also actively coordinating the deployment of emergency medical teams to address the urgent and evolving health needs of the estimated 12.9 million people requiring humanitarian assistance.
WHO flew in 35 tons of supplies from its Global Logistics Hub in Dubai to Yangon yesterday evening. Earlier, 60 tons of trauma kits, including medicines, medical and surgical devices, and multipurpose tents, were dispatched from the emergency stockpiles in Yangon to Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, and Sagaing.
More lifesaving supplies are being procured based on the needs identified by health partners and are being readied for shipment from WHO’s logistics hub in the coming week.
Additional experts have been deployed to Myanmar to enhance WHO’s support for the earthquake response, including the coordination of Emergency Medical Teams on the ground, a key function WHO undertakes during health emergencies.
WHO has also engaged the Emergency Medical Teams Network and its quality assured medical teams to assist in ongoing relief efforts and the provision of medical care.
WHO continues to provide operational support for deploying Rapid Response Teams to the hardest hit areas, including Nay Pyi Taw, Mandalay, and Sagaing. These teams have been on the ground since March 29, delivering urgent medical care, conducting rapid assessments, and supporting local health authorities in their disaster relief and recovery efforts.
Mandalay, Sagaing, and Nay Pyi Taw, followed by Bago, Magway, and Shan (South and East), are among the worst affected areas. Preliminary assessments have indicated high numbers of casualties and trauma related injuries, with urgent needs for emergency care.
The disruption of electricity and water supplies and reduced access to health services have also increased the risk of outbreaks of waterborne and foodborne diseases.
With many health facilities partially or fully damaged, WHO has provided multipurpose tents to expand the capacity of hospitals overwhelmed by the influx of patients.
The epicentre of the earthquake was close to Sagaing township in the Sagaing Region, which is home to approximately one third of the country’s internally displaced population, many of whom were already facing critical shortages of water, sanitation, hygiene, and shelter due to ongoing conflict.
To reach populations in remote areas, WHO has supplied medical kits to local organizations to treat acute watery diarrhoea, respiratory infections, and skin infections.
WHO remains committed to working with all organizations and partners to ensure a coordinated and inclusive health response that leaves no one behind.
Rishika Verma is a graduate from Delhi University. She joined Medical Dialogues in 2023. Her interest lies in reporting health news, hospital updates, health updates, medical case studies, and advancements in healthcare, etc.