Delivering Care When It’s Needed Most: The impactful Power of Fast Funding

Photo Credit WFP: A photo of damaged hospital in earthquake hit area

When two powerful earthquakes struck Myanmar in March 2025, health services were among the hardest hit. Facilities collapsed, medical supplies were buried under rubble, and already-fragile health systems faced an overwhelming surge in needs. From trauma injuries to chronic illness, from reproductive health to disease prevention—thousands of people needed urgent care.

With flexible and timely support from the Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE), the World Health Organization (WHO) was able to respond rapidly delivering lifesaving health supplies, sustaining essential care, and strengthening coordination with frontline partners.

WHO health partner distributing Mother and Baby Packs to earthquake affected communities

“After the earthquake, everything became more difficult,” said Daw Hla Hla (name changed), a pregnant woman staying in a temporary shelter in Mandalay. “I didn’t know how I would prepare for the baby. Receiving the mother and baby pack was a big relief. It gave me comfort and what I couldn’t manage on my own.”

Her story is one of many that reflects the real impact of emergency preparedness. Thanks to CFE funding, 1,400 Mother and Baby Packs were distributed across 20 hard-hit townships, ensuring safer childbirth and dignified care for over 2,800 mother and newborns.

But this was just one part of a broader response enabled by CFE.

WHO deployed critical emergency health supplies within 24 hours of the earthquake

From Airlift to Action

In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, CFE funding enabled WHO to deploy critical emergency supplies via charter flights—including Interagency Emergency Health Kits (IEHKs), trauma and surgical kits (TESKs), mobile tents, blood safety sets, and body bags. These resources were distributed to public health facilities treating earthquake affected survivors who need immediate emergency healthcare.

Protecting Lives Through Disease Prevention and WASH intervention

With monsoon rains approaching and overcrowded shelters posing health risks, WHO pre-positioned outbreak response kits, laboratory reagents, and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) to boost early detection of diseases. Support was extended to 6 laboratories and communities in affected regions, improving capacity for water quality testing and outbreak investigation.

WHO health partners distributing mosquito tent nets to earthquake affected communities as part of disease prevention efforts

A total of 500 mosquito tent nets, Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) materials on dengue, acute watery diarrhea (AWD), and monsoon preparedness were also distributed to reduce the risk of vector- and water-borne diseases in displacement sites.

“Without these kits and supplies, we wouldn’t be able to prepare for what’s coming,” said a health assistant in Sagaing. “The monsoon will make things worse—but now, at least we’re not starting from zero.”

A water filter being installed at a local health facility to prevent the risk of waterborne diseases

To prevent the risk of waterborne diseases in overcrowded earthquake displacement camps, WHO is also distributing water filters, with support from CFE funding to health facilities and displacement sites across Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, Sagaing, and Nyaung Shwe. A total of 30 filters have been installed at 27 clinics and three auxiliary midwife locations—ensuring clean drinking water for more than 13,500 people each month. An additional 25 filters are on the way to those locations as mentioned above.

This intervention directly supports disease prevention efforts against acute watery diarrhoea, cholera, and other waterborne infections. According to WHO’s latest Situation Report (30 May 2025), sporadic cases of diarrhoea and skin infections have already been reported, reinforcing the urgency of reliable WASH solutions.

WHO health partner giving essential health care services at one of the earthquake relief camps in Mandalay

Essential Medicines and Mental Health Support

In the weeks following the disaster, WHO also used CFE funds to supply three months’ worth of noncommunicable disease (NCD) medications for more than 25,000 people with hypertension and diabetes, as well as 1,500 assistive devices to help individuals with disabilities and mobility challenges recover with dignity.

WHO also scaled up mental health support, procuring mental health kits and providing Psychological First Aid (PFA) training for frontline workers. Over 450 health workers were trained in PFA and self-care, reaching thousands of community members experiencing grief, loss, and fear. Through the distribution of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) IEC materials and practical guidebooks, WHO is helping more than 22,900 (22000 earthquake affected individuals and 900 health care providers)—including frontline workers and volunteers—build the knowledge and skills needed to manage stress, cope with trauma, increase resilience and maintain mental well-being during recovery.

WHO health partner’s mobile health clinic giving essential health care services to affected population in Mandalay

Reaching the Frontlines

To sustain and coordinate the response, CFE support helped WHO strengthen operational capacity across the country—including support to Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) and Health Emergency Operations Centres (HEOCs). These platforms ensured health interventions were targeted, coordinated, and responsive to real-time needs on the ground.

“CFE funding allowed us to act fast—when speed mattered most,” said Dr Thushara Fernando, WHO Representative to Myanmar. “It supported not only urgent needs, but also strengthened community-level resilience and essential health services that will carry into recovery.”

As Myanmar continues its transition from immediate response to early recovery, WHO remains committed to reaching the most vulnerable with essential health care. This work has only been possible through the timely and flexible support from the Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE).

Thanks to CFE, thousands of people—from pregnant women and injured patients to those managing chronic illness—have received the care, protection, and dignity they deserve in the wake of disaster.