By Huw Owen, Disasters Emergency Committee in Scotland

It’s now two months since a devastating earthquake hit Myanmar, ripping the earth apart and flattening buildings in seconds - killing thousands. Even before this cataclysm, almost 20 million people were already in need of humanitarian aid after years of instability in the country. With a further 17 million people estimated to have been affected in some way by the earthquake and the repeated aftershocks, this is a compound disaster, a crushing crisis upon a crisis.

The earthquake

You may recall that when news of the earthquake first broke, damage was first reported from the Thai capital, Bangkok, more than 1000 kilometres (600 miles away).

This particularly widespread effect was not only down to the strength of the quake (7.7 on the Moment Magnitude Scale (Mw) a relatively new, more accurate replacement for the better-known Richter scale) but because scientists believe it was what is called a ‘supershear’ earthquake.  This rare event, affecting the Saigang fault, is when the speed at which the ground ruptures moves faster than the seismic waves, building up energy and causing greater damage a greater distance – it’s the underground equivalent of a sonic boom.

Early estimates from the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management suggests 400 roads, 300 hospitals and clinics, 95 bridges, 2,500 schools and 55,000 houses were damaged or destroyed, causing around $1.9 billion worth of losses.

The humanitarian response

These compound emergencies need both an immediate life-saving response but also longer-term support for those whose lives have been not only affected by the earthquake, but through continuing hardship and the increasing effects of extreme weather driven by the climate crisis.

The Disasters Emergency Committee, comprised of UK 15 member charities and crucially their expert local partners – eyes, ears, hands and hearts – is uniquely placed to help in such complex multi-layered crises.

A key challenge has of course been just reaching all the people affected, whether that is the epicentre near the city of Mandalay, or more remote rural areas.

As well as homes and offices, roads and other transport links have been uprooted, so logistics have been and will remain a huge issue for some time to come.  Recent heavy rains, as the oppressively hot dry season transitioned into monsoon, has made the task even harder.

Remember too that most aid workers are Myanmar nationals who were directly affected by the earthquake along with their families and homes, so they are not only dealing with the extreme weather, but also the fear created by aftershocks along with increased threats of disease from dirty water and the mosquitoes that thrive in such conditions.

Despite these extreme challenges, the determination and skill of local aid workers - along with their long-term experience of working in communities across the country - has meant they have already helped save many lives since the earthquake and are now protecting many others against the continuing threats.

Alongside the vase initial needs for medical care and first aid DEC members have been able to help provide temporary shelter and crucially clean water to drink and maintain hygiene.  There is also, understandably huge trauma across the population, particularly for young children who are trying to make sense of what has happened to them and their families since the earthquake.

Pregnant women and new mothers with their tiny babies are of course especially vulnerable, and along with elderly people and those with disabilities are always priorities for support. Nutritious food for mums and newborns is key part of the response for this part of the population.

Children of all ages must be protected, not only from threats from some adults but given space to feel safe and perhaps start to talk, to come to terms with what has happened to them.

Many DEC members have expertise in creating child friendly spaces, a haven amidst the chaos and devastation, where, alongside food and drink there are games, creative and other education activities that can give children and their parents some respite and vital support to help them get through. This support is up and running in many places already.

Water is life, literally, in many parts of Myanmar.  With taps, sinks, pipes and toilets destroyed, clean, safe water, is always the central need in a disaster like this.  In the initial part of the response, the priority was to provide bottled water and/or the supply of water purification tablets and other systems and supplies to maintain hygiene.  As the response continues, member charities will again use their expertise to advise and work alongside local authorities to rebuild water supplies, rebuild wells, pipes and taps, toilets in the places where they’re needed the most.

Public Support

We would like to thank everyone who has supported this latest DEC appeal which has now raised more than £2 million here in Scotland, more than £24 million across the UK, backed once again by the Scottish Government through its Humanitarian Emergency Fund and via the UK Government’s Aid Match scheme.  These are hugely heartening figures and a powerful reassertion of solidarity of global citizenship given the huge distractions and disruptions we are all getting to grips with here and abroad.

Sadly, humanitarian disasters far from home don’t often stay in the media spotlight for long - that’s even more true right now.  Fortunately, these generous donations have not only provided the short-term lifesaving support outlined above, they will also allow our members and their partners to respond flexibly for many months to come as families and communities start to recover and think towards the future.

With that future in mind, if you haven’t already supported our work, I really hope this explanation of what we do and how we work, particularly in support of communities in crisis - perhaps not so different to ours – might help persuade you to donate now.

If you can help, please donate now at dec.org.uk, or phone 0330 123 0555 or text the word HOPE to 70727 to donate £10.