On April 14, a support team dispatched from AAR Japan (Association for Aid and Relief, Japan)’s two local offices (Yangon and Hpa-An) entered the severely affected Sagaing area in central Myanmar. The team is conducting a needs assessment for the rainy season among survivors and is preparing to distribute emergency shelter (tents) and provide cash assistance. Sagaing is the most severely affected area along with Mandalay, but humanitarian assistance has been delayed due to the disruption of the road network.

In Sagaing, located near the epicenter, many buildings have collapsed, turning the town into ruins. Numerous lives were lost beneath the rubble, but due to a shortage of heavy machinery for debris removal, there are many places where bodies cannot be recovered even two weeks after the disaster. Many survivors are still in shock and appear overwhelmed with a sense of helplessness.

Due to concerns such as theft during their absence or injured family members unable to move, many survivors have chosen not to evacuate to designated shelters. Instead, they are living in their yards or nearby open spaces. Some residents say, “I heard distribution of supplies at shelters is unfair, so I don’t want to go there.” Survivors staying at home are receiving insufficient support, and another resident stated, “Aside from some rice and beans provided by an international organization a week ago, we have not received any support.”

Many of the survivors we interviewed expressed a desire to clear debris and rebuild their homes or set up temporary shelters before the rainy season begins, but the cost of materials has skyrocketed, and their meager savings are not enough to afford it. A woman teacher said, “All of my household goods and cash are still buried under my crushed house. I would like to build a small shelter on my own where my home used to be…….”

In addition to distributing emergency supplies such as food and hygiene items through local partner organizations, AAR is also providing cash assistance that survivors can use based on their individual needs. Procuring and installing shelters is also an urgent priority. Many survivors are still waiting for support. We ask for your cooperation in AAR’s emergency support for the Myanmar earthquake.