The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is appealing for $16 million to expand emergency relief operations in Myanmar, where a major earthquake last week left more than a million people in urgent need of assistance. The funds are intended to support 1.2 million individuals across six regions severely affected by the disaster. At a press briefing in Geneva on Friday, UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch said the agency aims to use the requested funding to scale up humanitarian operations through the end of 2025.
Planned efforts include the distribution of emergency shelter materials, the management of temporary displacement sites, and direct support to vulnerable groups impacted by both the earthquake and years of ongoing conflict. Since the earthquake struck central Myanmar, UNHCR has mobilized in-country relief stocks to assist an initial group of approximately 25,000 survivors. Aid distributions have reached communities in Mandalay, Sagaing, and Bago regions, as well as the capital, Nay Pyi Taw, and parts of southern Shan State.
Items provided include plastic sheeting and kitchen sets to help families meet their basic survival needs. As part of the broader inter-agency response to the crisis, UNHCR is co-leading efforts in the areas of shelter, emergency relief, camp coordination, and protection. The agency is currently deploying supplies from its Myanmar-based warehouses for an additional 25,000 people, but emphasized the urgent need to replenish its resources to meet the scale of need. According to Baloch, many affected populations have lost everything, including their access to income and local markets, which are not yet operational in some areas.
Without adequate funding, the agency warned it will be unable to sustain or expand support for those displaced or rendered homeless by the disaster. The $16 million appeal will also enable UNHCR to distribute further emergency shelter kits, basic household supplies, and personal protection items. In areas where temporary displacement sites are established, the agency will coordinate with partners to improve infrastructure, enhance services, and mitigate potential risks to vulnerable populations. Beyond physical aid, the UNHCR response plan includes legal assistance, psychosocial support, and specialized services for children, women, and people with disabilities.
The agency also plans to continue advocating for safe and sustained humanitarian access to all affected regions through coordination with local organizations and stakeholders. The earthquake has compounded the challenges already facing Myanmar, where years of political instability and armed conflict have left millions internally displaced. UNHCR reiterated its commitment to supporting affected communities and called for swift international support to address the scale of the humanitarian crisis. – By MENA Newswire News Desk.