Essential Aid to 1852 Displaced Individuals Provided by Life for Relief and Development USA (LIFE) After Devastating Earthquakes Hit Myanmar

With the advancement in technology, medicine, and human knowledge, some could argue that the human experience is improving year on year. However, a quick glance at global statistics portrays a very different story.  

Human suffering seems to be multiplying in some locations, with displacement being at a record high, as over 117 million people are currently forcibly displaced worldwide. The number of people living in this state of insecurity, with their homes, belongings, and communities being stripped from them, has nearly tripled in just over a decade.  

Myanmar is one of many countries that deal with this issue, as currently, nearly 5 million individuals have been either internally displaced or have fled the country seeking refuge abroad.  Prolonged conflict and violence in the region, along with Myanmar being one of the world’s most exposed countries to natural disasters, have led to 3.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) seeking shelter in camps, trying to rebuild their lives anew.  

On March 28, 2025, the lives of millions in Myanmar drastically changed forever. When the impact of two powerful earthquakes - magnitudes 7.7 and 6.4 - struck central Myanmar near Mandalay, the tremors were felt nationwide. Over 17.2 million people across 58 townships were affected, including 9.1 million individuals who were exposed to the strongest tremors.  

The destruction that ensued was immense: more than 3,500 people died, nearly 5,000 were injured, and thousands remain displaced, facing extreme heat, damaged infrastructure, limited access to power, water, healthcare, and communications, and growing instability from the ongoing monsoon. 

Bone Ohe Village in Amarapura Township, Mandalay Region, Myanmar, was one of the worst-affected areas. Tragically, upon impact, 270 residents lost their lives, while for the rest of the villagers, nearly all homes were destroyed. As a result, families were displaced, forced to live in an open field in extreme heat, without shelter or access to necessities. The most vulnerable in these circumstances are the children, as they face hunger, trauma, and increased health risks. 

To support those most impacted by the devastating earthquakes, Life for Relief and Development USA (LIFE) deployed its team to Bone Ohe Village to provide immediate life-saving relief. From April 3 to April 14, 2025, hot meals and ready-to-eat food packs were provided to 300 families, directly reaching 1852 IDPs. Each food pack included preserved canned foods and essential items designed to support a family's survival for two weeks. These packs, along with hot meals, helped stabilize affected families and supported their recovery in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. 

As a result, affected families experienced immediate relief from hunger and stress, improving their overall well-being and sense of stability amid ongoing aftershocks and displacement. The provision of accessible and culturally appropriate food helps restore dignity, reduce reliance on unsafe food sources, and allow families to focus on recovery. 

For one mother of six, Daw Phyu Phyu Sein, who lost her husband to the earthquake along with their home, business and all their belongings, LIFE’s aid was a lifeline. Upon receiving the food charity, Daw Phyu shares: “My children hadn’t eaten since yesterday. Now, I can finally give them something. I want to sincerely thank the donors who made this possible. Your support means more than words can say - you are helping us survive and giving us hope when we had none”. 

For the thousands of recipients just like her, your donations and the efforts of LIFE’s staff have served as a reminder that despite the extreme loss that has befallen them, they have not been forgotten.