Myanmar Earthquake 2025: Fondation de France Launches Appeal for Support with Médecins du Monde and Handicap International
On Friday, March 28th, 2025, a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, unleashing widespread destruction across the country, and was felt as far away as China and Thailand.
The epicentre was located 16 km north-west of Sagaing, and the initial tremor was swiftly followed by a significant 6.4-magnitude aftershock. In the wake of this catastrophe, six regions of Myanmar have been placed under a state of emergency. The sheer magnitude of the earthquake has triggered grave concerns about a potentially high death toll, as medical facilities are overwhelmed by a continuous influx of injured individuals. Recognising the scale of the crisis, the military junta has urgently appealed to the international community for swift humanitarian assistance. Fondation de France Asia is working with key partners who are currently on the ground: Médecins du Monde and Handicap International, whose vital initiatives require immediate support to reach those most affected. We encourage all who can to contribute to these essential efforts.
To support the efforts of Médecins du Monde and Handicap International actions in Myanmar, donations can be made online via the links below, with any donation above HK$100 tax deductible in Hong Kong.
Médecins du Monde: Delivering Critical Healthcare in the Aftermath
Médecins du Monde teams are working tirelessly on the ground to provide assistance to the populations impacted by this devastating earthquake. With a long-standing presence in Myanmar since 1994, the NGO has a dedicated team of 250 individuals, all reported safe and fully prepared to deliver a rapid and effective response. Their core mission is to ensure equitable access to healthcare, particularly for the most vulnerable and high-risk communities.
This disaster has struck a nation already grappling with a significant political, economic, and humanitarian crisis. Helena Ranchal, Médecins du Monde’s Director of International Operations, emphasises the urgency of the situation: “The priority is to meet essential needs: medical care, water, food, and shelter. Hospitals are overwhelmed. We will send reinforcements to Mandalay, near the epicentre, to assess the situation and provide emergency aid. Access to affected areas is complicated by both the earthquake and the ongoing conflict.”
Recognising the increasing frequency and intensity of emergencies, Médecins du Monde implemented a new strategy in Myanmar starting in 2024 to enhance preparedness for both natural disasters and conflicts. Their key areas of focus include providing primary healthcare, offering care and prevention for gender-based violence, delivering mental health and psychosocial support, and addressing nutritional needs. By working in close collaboration with local authorities and civil society organisations, Médecins du Monde ensures effective and locally relevant emergency interventions.
Handicap International: Our Teams on the Ground
Handicap International provides aid to vulnerable populations, particularly people with disabilities, wherever it is needed in the world. The association meets their essential and specific needs, improves their living conditions and helps them to integrate into society. Handicap International’s Burmese team is currently focused in Mandalay, where the earthquake hit the hardest. They are now carrying out an assessment of the needs in this region, where the situation is chaotic. Access remains extremely difficult due to damaged roads, cut bridges, and the absence of electricity and means of communication in many areas.
“Earthquakes like this one obviously result in very serious injuries, fractures, head trauma, severe spinal cord injuries and amputations, injuries that require physiotherapy and rehabilitation support as early as possible to prevent the onset of disability“, explains Gilles Nouzies, Regional Director for Handicap International in South-East Asia.It can take several weeks for foreign goods to enter the country. Handicap International is working to mobilise local markets and small craftsmen around Yangon to rapidly organise the distribution of mobility aids (wheelchairs, crutches, etc.), shelter, hygiene kits and other essential items to people who have lost everything.
Handicap International’s priority is to meet the most important and immediate needs, including rehabilitation care for injured people and amputees, and psychological support. Faced with a disaster of this scale, the trauma is considerable. Every donation counts. Support will enable their team to act quickly and provide vital aid to the most vulnerable populations.
- For $428HKD , you contribute to the supply of a prosthesis to enable a man, woman or child to stand up again.
- For $858HKD ,you can help Handicap International provide post-operative care to prevent permanent disabilities.
- For $1,283HKD ,you can help buy an adapted wheelchair for an injured or disabled person.
Fondation de France has been providing post-emergency aid for over thirty years. It played a significant role after the 2004 South East Asia tsunami, the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the 2015 Nepal earthquake, and the 2017 Caribbean hurricanes. Recently, it supported relief efforts in Lebanon, Ukraine, Turkey, Syria, Morocco and Mayotte. With expertise in psychological support, rebuilding infrastructure, and restoring economic activity, Fondation de France ensures long-term recovery for affected communities.
Please consider contributing to the response efforts!
