In the Southeast Asian multi-ethnic state of Myanmar, armed conflicts between state security forces and various ethnic groups have been ongoing for more than 70 years. With its natural resources and central location in Southeast Asia, the country has great development potential. Nevertheless, Myanmar still ranks 149th out of 190 countries on the Human Development Index, which takes into account income, life expectancy and educational opportunities (as of 2022).
Conflict, lack of investment in infrastructure and recurring natural disasters have left their mark on the country. In addition to extreme weather conditions, climate change is hitting Myanmar particularly hard. In 2019, for the seventh year in a row, the country ranked second among the countries that have been most affected by the impacts of global warming worldwide over the past 20 years (Global Climate Risk Index by Germanwatch). Nevertheless, the country has so far been ill-prepared for the challenges of climate change. Tropical storms, storm surges and tsunamis repeatedly hit the coastal regions. Large parts of the country are threatened by earthquakes, floods, landslides and droughts.
A severe earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck Myanmar and Thailand on March 28, 2025. Countless people have lost all their belongings, their homes and their loved ones. They urgently need support.
Malteser International has been supporting people in need in Myanmar and Thailand for several decades. We are working at full speed with our teams and partner organizations on the ground to provide rapid emergency relief. Among other things, we provide 250,000 euros in emergency aid for the affected areas.
Every bit of help counts now. Your donation is urgently needed.
Malteser International first began working in Myanmar in 1996, implementing small-scale relief projects with local partners, and it has been active with its own staff in the country since 2001. Today, Malteser International employs more than 180 national staff in Shan state and Yangon, where our work aims at ensuring communities have access to primary health care services. We also offer comprehensive water, hygiene and sanitation services (WASH) and disaster risk reduction/climate change adaptation solutions, and provide relief after disasters. We strive to enable and empower the most vulnerable communities in marginalized areas through a participatory and sustainable approach.
We have been committed to strengthening local actors and thus increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian aid. Together with strong partners, we support eight countries and 40 local partner organizations in a joint localization program (ToGETHER!), fostering capacity building in emergency aid and crisis prevention, coordination and finances, and representation of their interests. Malteser International has the operational lead in two of the participating countries: Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Cyclones, flash floods, mudslides: In Asia, extreme weather events cause more natural disasters than anywhere else in the world. In 2024, again, millions of people were directly affected by the consequences in countries like Myanmar. Read more to find out about our emergency relief.
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Earthquake Myanmar: After a devastating earthquake, Malteser International is providing urgent aid. Our teams are delivering medical care, clean water, and supplies amid extreme heat and damaged infrastructure.
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Earthquake Myanmar: In the hardest-hit areas, contaminated water is causing a surge in illnesses like watery diarrhea. Destroyed water and sanitation systems have left many without homes or safe drinking water.
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Earthquake Myanmar: Malteser International and partners will provide medical aid, psychosocial support, clean water, and sanitation in Mandalay. Two days after Myanmar’s earthquake, the damage is still being assessed while immediate aid continues.
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Earthquake Myanmar: A Malteser International emergency team is heading to Yangon to support initial relief efforts. Medical teams, WASH specialists, and volunteers are already on site assessing needs and coordinating aid.
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Earthquake Myanmar: A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Sagaing, Myanmar, and was felt over 1,000 km away in Thailand. Official casualty numbers are not yet available. Malteser International, with decades of experience in the region, is providing €250,000 in emergency relief for rapid assistance.
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Goal 3 of the SDGs aims to ensure healthy lives for all. Malteser International supports this through global projects, like in Myanmar, where we strengthen health networks in remote areas to improve care for mothers and children.
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Motherhood brings joy and challenges, like the fear of a sick child. Mi Tueh felt she had failed until she learned her child had tuberculosis. Discover how Malteser International supports families facing TB.
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Isabel Brenn
Email: isabel.brenn(at)malteser-international.org
Stefanie Heil
Email: stefanie.heil(at)malteser-international.org
info@malteser-international.org
Malteser Hilfsdienst e.V.
Reference:
Malteser International
Account number: 1201200012
IBAN:
DE10 3706 0120 1201 2000 12
S.W.I.F.T./BIC: GENODED1PA7
(Pax Bank Cologne)
