UNICEF warns children in Myanmar at risk of exploitation, disease after earthquake

With water supplies cut off, sanitation systems broken, and health facilities overwhelmed, the United Nations agency described the disaster as “catastrophic,” especially for children.

“What we see in Myanmar now is nearly half of the children are living in poverty, more than a million children are unvaccinated and a third of school-age children were out of school even before the earthquake,” Louise Gorton, UNICEF Emergency Specialist at the East Asia and Pacific Regional Office, told Astro AWANI.

Prior to the earthquake, Gorton said, Myanmar was already facing one of the most complex humanitarian crises in the world.

The country is under an ongoing civil conflict following a 2021 military coup, and over the last few years, has been struck by several public health emergencies and climate-related disasters, including Cyclone Mocha and Typhoon Yagi.

Many of the areas impacted by the earthquake have also been battling cholera and acute watery diarrhea outbreaks since June 2023.

“Beyond the physical harm, children in emergencies also face increased psychological distress and trauma, and unfortunately they can be exposed to exploitation and abuse,” said Gorton.

The devastating earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, on March 28th.

As of April 8th, the earth toll has exceeded 3,600, with more than 5,000 injured and dozens still missing.

According to UNICEF teams on the ground, many families continue to sleep in the open, exposed to the heat and rain, out of fear that smaller aftershocks could bring further damage to already unstable buildings.

“Entire communities have been flattened. There's huge damage to homes and critical infrastructure. Most of the affected areas still don't have electricity supplies or telecommunications.

“We've seen schools and hospitals that are either destroyed or completely unusable,” recalled Gorton.

For now, aid teams are focused on addressing immediate needs for food, safe water, shelter and medical care.

UNICEF has begun distributing supplies such as medicines, water purification tablets and hygiene kits to victims in affected areas like Sagaing, Nyapidaw and Mandalay. However, challenges remain in delivering aid and support.

Myanmar’s military council has declared a 20-day ceasefire until April 22nd to support relief efforts, although the UN Human Rights office continues to receive reports of fighting.

“The earthquake has damaged vital infrastructure including telecommunications towers, airports, roads, and bridges. So that is slowing down relief efforts, as it means that we may need to take longer or alternative routes to reach affected populations,” said Gorton.

She added that lack of funding remains another significant hurdle, given that the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar was one of the most under-funded globally.

“UNICEF is now urgently appealing for 28 million dollars to kick-start the initial response and this immediate funding will help us provide life-saving support including clean water, sanitation, medical supplies, temporary shelter, psychosocial support, and emergency education.”