Ottawa, CANADA, April 7, 2025 – More than 3,000 people have died and over 1.2 million have been displaced following the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar on March 28. Many families still lack access to safe shelter, clean water, food, and medical care. In response, Veterinarians Without Borders North America (VWB) has launched a One Health, two-phase humanitarian relief effort in partnership with Sopyay Myanmar Development Organization (SMDO), a locally led non-governmental organization with more than a decade of experience in disaster response, targeting some of the hardest-hit rural communities.
Phase 1, currently underway, is focused on delivering cash assistance to 120 of the most vulnerable households in the Mandalay and Sagaing regions. Target recipients include female-headed households—many of whom have lost income sources and face heightened risks during displacement—as well as livestock keepers and displaced families. This cash support will help families meet their most immediate needs—such as food, shelter, hygiene supplies, and animal care—while reducing the likelihood of harmful coping strategies like selling livestock or consuming unsafe meat.
Phase 2 will address urgent water, sanitation, and hygiene needs in displacement areas. Planned activities include installation of temporary latrines and handwashing stations, distribution of hygiene kits, and community campaigns promoting safe animal handling and food hygiene practices.
"The challenges in Myanmar are immense—from humanitarian access restrictions to infrastructure breakdown—but we are committed to doing what we can, where we can," said Charmaine Brett, Executive Director of VWB. "This is a humanitarian crisis that affects both people and the animals they rely on for food, income, and resilience. We are proud to partner with a trusted local organization to ensure fast, community-led support."
In keeping with its One Health approach, VWB is also working to support local veterinary clinics by helping them restock essential supplies, including IV fluids and medications that have become scarce due to supply chain disruptions. Additionally, the organization is in early collaboration with Let’s Save the Strays International to support emergency relief for companion animals in Mandalay. Planned support includes food, vaccinations, and treatment for injured or displaced pets.
"While we begin delivering life-saving support through our partnership with SMDO, we’re also engaging with local veterinary teams and community responders to address urgent animal health needs,” Brett added. “When animals are injured or displaced, the risk of disease increases—including those that can spread to humans. Preventing zoonotic outbreaks is essential to both immediate relief and long-term recovery. The situation is complex, but our response is growing."
VWB continues to coordinate with its global network of supporters and partners to scale up its response wherever possible, ensuring that both people and animals receive the urgent care they need.
To support our response or learn more, visit our Myanmar Earthquake Relief page.
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About SMDO: Sopyay Myanmar Development Organization (SMDO) is a non-profit, non-governmental civil society organization based in Yangon, Myanmar. Founded in 2011 by a group of socially motivated volunteers, SMDO began as a community-based disaster risk reduction (CBDRR) initiative and has since expanded to deliver humanitarian assistance, clean water access, and resilience-building programs in vulnerable communities across Ayeyarwaddy Region, Eastern Shan State, and Northern Shan State. The organization focuses on empowering marginalized populations through disaster preparedness, risk-informed development, and community-driven leadership. SMDO is a member of the UN Food Security and Livelihoods Cluster and has partnered with organizations such as World Vision, Malteser International, and arche noVa Initiative for People in Need.
About VWB/VSF: Founded in 2005, Veterinarians Without Borders/Vétérinaires sans frontières (VWB/VSF) is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to improving community health through enhanced animal health. Using a “One Health” approach, we work with diverse partners to strengthen community-centered animal health systems, directly benefiting the people and environments that rely on them. As the North American affiliate of VSF International, VWB/VSF operates independently, with ongoing programs in Africa, Asia, Northern Canada, and Europe. Our efforts focus on disease prevention, sustainable livelihoods, equitable access to resources, capacity building, and humanitarian relief, reaching over 1 million people annually. Learn more: www.vwb.org
Media Contact:
Tanja Kisslinger
VWB/VSF North America
tanja@vwb.org / +1 613 413 5776
