UNOPS Executive Director on Myanmar Earthquake Response and Ongoing Conflict

UNOPS Mission to Myanmar

• 💡 Jorge Moreira da Silva, UNOPS Executive Director, visited Myanmar following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake on March 28th.
• 🎯 The mission aimed to understand the needs on the ground and how UNOPS can support recovery and reconstruction efforts.
• 🌍 UNOPS has a significant presence in Myanmar with nearly 500 staff and 30 years of experience supporting health, livelihoods, and development.

Impact of the Earthquake and Conflict

• 📌 Communities are still reeling from the earthquake, the strongest in a century, compounded by existing conflict, displacement, and humanitarian needs.
• ⚠️ Over 6.3 million people in the most affected areas require urgent assistance, with damaged infrastructure limiting access to basic services.
• 🌧️ The ongoing monsoon season exacerbates risks of flooding and disease, as many displaced individuals live in temporary shelters without access to clean water.
• 🏗️ Clearing over 2.5 million tons of debris is a key concern for recovery efforts.

Humanitarian Access and Funding Needs

• 🚫 Recovery efforts are hindered by active conflict and insecurity, necessitating unhindered humanitarian access, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
• 💰 The World Bank estimates damage at $11 billion, with full reconstruction potentially costing two to three times more, highlighting the need for significantly increased funding.
• 🤝 Despite constraints, the UN system, humanitarian partners, and local responders are delivering life-saving assistance, including emergency shelters and water access.

Addressing Ongoing Conflict and Donor Confidence

• ⚔️ The military situation has not improved, with strikes occurring near internally displaced people centers, and conflict continuing even after the earthquake.
• 📢 Moreira da Silva urged against delaying support for Myanmar, emphasizing that the country cannot become a forgotten crisis and requires basic emergency relief.
• ✅ UNOPS has found ways to provide direct support to people through local partners, mitigating risks of aid diversion and rebuilding trust after past scandals.