On 28 March 2025, a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, shaking communities across the country. In Nyaungshwe Township, in the Inlay region of Shan State, older people were among those hardest hit. Many lost their homes and loved ones, and now face displacement, hunger and fear. These are their stories – shared in their own words.
Voices of older people in Myanmar after the earthquake
Published
Daw Than Tin, 85
I don’t dare to sleep in my house anymore. It’s so damaged and close to falling down. I feel too scared to be inside. Instead, I sit on the ground behind the house, trying to stay safe. The aftershocks keep coming and coming, shaking everything around me. I’m scared of snakes and other biting animals lurking around. I’m constantly dizzy, and I’ve lost my appetite. I just need a safe place to stay and some nutritious food to help me feel stronger again.
Daw Than Tin is sleeping outside in fear, exposed to harsh conditions and ongoing danger. She needs safe shelter and age-appropriate support such as nutritious food and basic care to recover physically and emotionally.
U Win Maung, 68
I cry at night because of the pain and sadness. I have to rely on my sister for everything, as I am a disabled person. I cannot walk or hear. The earthquake has taken away so much. I need help with hygiene items and basic supplies because I can’t manage these things by myself.
As a person with disabilities, U Win Maung depends entirely on his sister. He struggles with daily hygiene and access to supplies. Support with basic non-food items and hygiene kits is essential for his safety and dignity.
Daw Aye Myint, 62
My daughter-in-law is in full-term pregnancy, and I’m deeply worried about her. I want to rebuild my house immediately to give her a safe place, but we can’t afford it. I can’t walk well. This whole experience has been a huge shock to me, and I feel helpless. My heart aches for my daughter-in-law, especially with her pregnancy, and I’m filled with worry about what might happen next. We need shelter, clean water, and hygiene support to keep her safe.
Daw Aye Myint is deeply concerned about her pregnant daughter-in-law, who is living in unsafe conditions. Lack of proper shelter, clean water and hygiene poses serious risks for her and the baby.
Daw Ma Htay, 60
I am still scared, and the fear doesn’t leave me. Since the earthquake, I can’t sleep well. Anxiety keeps me awake at night. I have no income to rebuild my home, as I am the only one left to take care of myself. I’ve already struggled so much during the floods, and now the earthquake has destroyed everything again. I just need some cash support to get back on my feet.
Living alone without income, Daw Ma Htay is overwhelmed by repeated disasters. She urgently needs cash support to manage her basic needs and begin rebuilding her life.
U Nyein, 70
I am feeling heartbroken because I no longer have a home to return to—the earthquake completely destroyed it. I was injured in my leg while trying to escape, and the pain is still with me. Everything happened so suddenly. Now, I’m staying at the monastery with others who have also lost everything. I don’t know what will happen next. I feel lost and helpless, and we urgently need clean water and hygiene support while staying here.
U Nyein is recovering from an injury in a crowded monastery where access to clean water and basic hygiene is limited. Like many others, he needs both physical care and emotional support.
U Hkung, 57
I have never experienced anything like this before. It was devastating and overwhelming. Forty-two people lost their lives, including seven older people who were so dear to us, and around 50 households were completely destroyed. The pain and loss we are facing are unimaginable, and it feels like everything has been taken away in an instant. I worry most about having a safe place to stay and something to eat—we have lost everything.
After losing his home, U Hkung is living with deep emotional pain and uncertainty. Like many others, he urgently needs shelter, food and support to begin recovering from the tragedy.
Older people in Myanmar are asking to be seen, heard and supported
Their needs are clear: safe shelter, hygiene items, nutritious food, cash support and emotional care. HelpAge is working with partners on the ground to ensure older people are not left behind in the response.