/countries/myanmar/who-health-partner-distributing-mother-and-baby-packs-to-earthquake-affected-communities.png?sfvrsn=3068c38_2 "WHO health partner distributing Mother and Baby Packs to earthquake affected communities")
WHO health partner distributing Mother and Baby Packs to earthquake affected communities
“I was really worried—how could I prepare for giving birth when we are already struggling to meet our daily needs? This pack gave me what I couldn’t afford—and peace of mind.”
On 28 March 2025, two powerful earthquakes—measuring 7.7 and 6.4 magnitude—struck central Myanmar, causing widespread destruction across Sagaing, Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, Bago, and Shan State. Over 4,700 lives were lost, more than 5,100 people injured, and an estimated 2.4 million are now in urgent need of health services. Thousands of homes were destroyed and health facilities damaged, leaving many displaced and without access to basic care.
Already burdened by the socioeconomic toll of ongoing conflict and displacement, many families now face even greater hardship in the aftermath of the earthquake. With jobs and small businesses lost, incomes disrupted, and savings depleted, families and households across the earthquake affected areas are being forced to make impossible choices between essentials—such as food, health care, and basic hygiene. In these conditions, pregnant women and newborns are among the most vulnerable.
To help ease this pressure, WHO, in partnership with local health organizations, launched the distribution of emergency Mother and Baby Packs across 12 hard-hit townships in Mandalay, Sagaing, and Southern Shan. These pre-positioned kits contain a clean delivery kit, a newborn care package, and essential items from hygiene and dignity kits—assembled with local input to ensure they are both practical and culturally appropriate.
Globally, various maternal health kits such as clean delivery kits and newborn care kits are used to facilitate safe childbirth in emergencies. In Myanmar’s unique context, with approximately 3.1 million internally displaced people half of whom lack proper shelter and often move between temporary locations, WHO Myanmar has adapted a new approach. The country office introduced an “all-in-one” Mother and Baby Pack, designed to be compact, easy to carry, and comprehensive. These packs contain essential items needed by pregnant women during their last three months of the pregnancy, helping ensure a safer and more dignified childbirth experience. This model has been used previously and was highly appreciated by recipients for its practicality and relevance to their needs.
“There are five soft napkins for my newborn inside the pack. That alone saves me a lot of money,” said another mother from Mandalay. “Everything inside is useful.”
The selection of recipients was based on clear criteria: the packs were distributed to pregnant women in their third trimester who sought antenatal care at partners’ mobile clinics in earthquake-affected areas. This approach ensured support reached those most in need, helping fill critical gaps and preventing women from having to compromise on the care and protection of their newborns due to financial constraints.
Health workers are seeing the impact firsthand. “Since we started distributing these packs, more mothers are coming for antenatal care at our mobile clinics. Pregnant women tell us there’s nothing in the pack they don’t use,” shared one health worker. “The packs meet their actual needs—from hygiene to baby clothing. And it’s encouraging them to engage more with health services.”
/countries/myanmar/a-damaged-hospital-in-earthquake-affected-area.png?sfvrsn=aef50a50_2 "A damaged hospital in earthquake affected area")
A damaged hospital in earthquake affected area
The earthquakes further strained a health system already weakened by years of conflict and underfunding, creating serious gaps in maternal and child health services. Damaged health facilities, unsafe conditions, and blocked roads have limited access to antenatal, postnatal, and emergency obstetric care—particularly in remote and hard-to-reach areas. Limited availability of skilled birth attendants and health staff, combined with constraints on referral systems and neonatal care, have left pregnant women and newborns at even greater risk.
“Even in the most difficult emergencies, no mother or child should be left behind. WHO’s goal is to ensure that every pregnant woman in earthquake-affected areas can safely prepare for childbirth,” said Dr Thushara Fernando, WHO Representative to Myanmar. “These packs don’t rebuild lives—but they help restore dignity and protect the most vulnerable when access to services and cash is limited.”
Since the beginning of the earthquake response, WHO has distributed 800 Mother and Baby Packs and 700 clean delivery kits, benefiting approximately 2,300 individuals. WHO is now procuring an additional 1,400 packs to replace the depleted stocks to support further distribution and stockpiling for future emergencies. “We hope WHO can continue providing these packs to all pregnant mothers, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas,” urged a health worker. “Working with local civil society organizations and communities is key to reaching everyone—especially those most vulnerable.”
As Myanmar moves beyond the immediate relief phase, WHO is supporting the country’s transition to recovery which includes restoring emergency care, rehabilitative care, reactivating essential health services—particularly for non-communicable diseases, maternal, newborn, and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS)—and strengthening disease surveillance and community-level resilience.
Reaching mothers like Daw Thandar is not just about surviving a crisis—it’s about ensuring their dignity is protected in times of great uncertainty. Through practical, locally informed support, WHO is helping families begin to stabilize—one safe birth at a time.
To read more about WHO Myanmar's response click here.
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