Earthquake in South-East Asia
On 28 March 2025, a violent earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck several regions of Southeast Asia. Myanmar has been particularly affected. Millions of people lost their homes and are in desperate need of food, water and medical care. In view of the scale of the disaster, Swiss Solidarity immediately launched an appeal for donations to help those affected as quickly as possible.
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Donations received: 6'357'329Several Swiss NGOs that are partners of Swiss Solidarity have been working in Myanmar for many years and have extensive experience and strong partnerships with local organisations, enabling them to provide rapid and effective assistance. Swiss Solidarity closely monitors the projects submitted to it and ensures that they meet the most urgent needs and benefit those who are most in need.
0 million
people live in the regions most affected by the earthquake
0 %
of buildings in Sagaing Region were completely destroyed
0 million
Swiss francs raised during the National Day of Solidarity for the victims of the earthquake
‘Thanks to an in-depth knowledge of the context and long-standing collaborations, our partners are able to assess the needs of those affected and provide them with immediate and independant assistance, despite the obstacles in their path.’
Constance Theisen-Womersley
Head of Humanitarian AidUpdate on the situation
The situation in Myanmar was already extremely fragile before the earthquake, due to years of armed conflict, mass population displacement and an ongoing humanitarian crisis. The country was facing a military coup, growing food insecurity and inflation, which had pushed a large part of the population into poverty. The earthquake hit rural areas where infrastructure was already damaged and access to basic services was limited.
Several of our Swiss NGO partners, including Médecins Sans Frontières, Caritas, HEKS/EPER, Helvetas, Save the Children and Terre des Hommes, are present on the ground. Although they were themselves affected by the earthquake, they were able to quickly provide emergency aid in the form of water, food and hygiene items to the affected population.
What your donation achieves
In Mandalay, 2,000 families are receiving financial aid, hygiene and dignity kits, and sanitation facilities. The aid also includes the distribution of water, fuel for emergency transport and safe spaces for children.
In collaboration with two local organisations, Helvetas is providing direct financial assistance to more than 6,500 particularly vulnerable families in Mandalay and Sagaing to help them meet their basic needs.
In several municipalities in Mandalay, HEKS/EPER is working with local partners to provide direct financial assistance to more than 3,500 families.
In Kyaukse and Myittha (Mandalay), nearly 3,000 families are receiving financial aid to cover their basic needs.
In Shan State, nearly 9,000 people are being provided with food, 800 families are receiving kitchen kits, 1,000 families are receiving assistance with emergency shelter and 200 women are receiving hygiene items.
Swiss Solidarity’s monitoring
We stay in close contact with our Swiss NGO partners in the field, and thanks to these trusted partnerships, we are able to provide rapid and effective assistance. We work exclusively with Swiss NGO partners who have expertise and extensive experience in difficult contexts. Most of these organisations have been active in the country for several decades and adhere to the principles of humanity, impartiality and neutrality.
National day of solidarity on 8 April
On 8 April, Swiss Solidarity organised a national day of solidarity for the victims of the terrible earthquake, in collaboration with the business units of the SSR. In the call centres of Geneva, Zurich, Lugano and Chur, more than 180 volunteers and personalities worked for the good cause. By 11 p.m., 6,357,329 francs in donations had been received, which will make it possible to intensify the aid that the local population urgently needs.
Frequently asked questions
We do not know the final death toll at the moment, but we do know that the earthquake was devastating. According to Helvetas, in the Sagaing region, around 60% of buildings collapsed completely, causing considerable damage and a very large number of injuries and deaths.
In Myanmar, more than 28 million people live in the six most affected regions. The survivors are traumatised and lack everything, from food and drinking water to healthcare and shelter.
Several of our Swiss NGO partners are already on the ground in the affected areas, while others are sending teams. They are doing everything in their power to reach the affected areas as quickly as possible. Thanks to strong partnerships with local organisations, these NGOs can act quickly and in a targeted manner to reach those most in need, despite the difficult conditions.
Swiss Solidarity intervenes where humanitarian needs are most urgent and where it can provide rapid and effective assistance in collaboration with its Swiss NGO partners. Currently, the needs are particularly great in Myanmar, where aid will be directed as a priority.
The country has been severely affected, with nearly one in three houses destroyed in the Sagaing region. Already weakened by years of armed conflict, massive population displacement and growing food insecurity, Myanmar is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, threatening the lives of thousands of people.
In the immediate term, Swiss Solidarity is focusing its aid on Myanmar, while continuing to assess the situation and adapt its response if necessary.
Swiss Solidarity works exclusively with Swiss NGO partners recognised for their expertise and extensive experience in this type of context. Most of them have been present in the country for several decades.
Despite the difficult conditions, they are able to act quickly and in a targeted manner thanks to their experience and the strong partnerships they have with organisations in Myanmar's civil society. These NGOs respect the principles of humanity, impartiality and neutrality. They provide assistance where the need is most urgent. They rigorously monitor the selection of aid recipients and are able to act completely independently in the field.
In addition, Swiss Solidarity finances projects that meet the most urgent needs and ensures rigorous controls to guarantee that donations are put to good use.
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Earthquake in South-East Asia
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Myanmar: How your solidarity is helping thousands of families after the earthquake
15.05.2025Nearly two months after the severe earthquake that shook Southeast Asia on 28 March 2025, Swiss Solidarity is funding seven humanitarian projects run by its Swiss partner organisations in Myanmar, providing life-saving aid to thousands of families affected by the disaster.
Impressions of our national day of solidarity on 8 April
09.04.2025Images from our call centres of the national day of solidarity for the victims of the earthquake in South-East Asia.
National day of Solidarity: 6.4 million francs raised after the earthquake in South-East Asia
09.04.2025In collaboration with the SSR units and the private radio stations, Swiss Solidarity has collected 6.4 million francs in donations today, on the occasion of the national day of solidarity in favour of the victims of the violent earthquake that occurred in Southeast Asia.
Our Swiss NGO partners on the ground
Helvetas
Helvetas works in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe, where it initiates projects related to water, infrastructure, training, agriculture, the market, environment and climate.
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Caritas Switzerland
Caritas Switzerland helps people in distress in Switzerland and worldwide. In collaboration with regional Caritas organisations, it operates mainly where poverty reigns. Caritas provides emergency assistance in disasters and participates in reconstruction.
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Solidar Switzerland
Solidar Switzerland acts worldwide for a more just society, fighting for fairer working conditions and greater democracy, while delivering humanitarian aid following disasters. In Switzerland, Solidar runs public awareness campaigns.
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Save the Children Switzerland
Save the Children Switzerland is an autonomous member of the largest independent children’s rights organisation in the world. In Switzerland and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm.
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SWISSAID
SWISSAID’s vision is a world where hunger does not belong and where even the poorest can lead a healthy, dignified, and autonomous life. As one of Switzerland’s most experienced development organisations, we create sustainable and climate friendly solutions to fight against the global food crisis. In doing so, we empower women, especially women in agriculture, to eradicate hunger
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Terre des hommes
Terres des hommes foundation builds a better future for underprivileged children in more than 30 countries. Health and protection projects improve the daily lives of two million children and their families each year.
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Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders is an independent international humanitarian medical organisation that provides emergency assistance to populations without access to healthcare, in particular those affected by armed conflicts, epidemics or natural disasters.
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Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER)
Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER), the relief agency of the Protestant Church in Switzerland, delivers humanitarian aid in response to natural disasters and armed conflicts and strives to counter the root causes of poverty and injustice. HEKS/EPER also seeks to bring about systemic change through its development work.
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Swiss Red Cross
The Swiss Red Cross (SRC) is the largest and most important humanitarian organization in Switzerland. It helps people in need in the areas of health, integration and rescue. The SRC is represented throughout Switzerland and is active in around 30 countries.
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Medair
Medair helps people suffering in remote and devastated communities around the world to survive crises, recover with dignity and develop the skills they need to build a better future.
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Pestalozzi Children’s Village Foundation
Pestalozzi Children’s Village Foundation works in 12 countries to provide quality education to children and adolescents. In Switzerland, the organization promotes students’ intercultural skills through active learning projects.
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