The NGOs of the emergency committee display their humanitarian programs in Myanmar

Five NGOs of Emergency Committee Spanish, Educo, doctors of the world, Oxfam Intermon, International Plan and World Vision, intensify their work in the areas affected by the earthquake in Myanmar that leaves, so far, more than 2,700 people deceased and more than 3,400 wounds. Given a first evaluation and analysis of the situation, and once the safety and integrity of their equipment is guaranteed, the main objective of these organizations is to serve the population in a more vulnerable situation as sick people, children and women, covering their most immediate needs of food and hygiene and providing them with psychological attention:

Educo, who operates in Myanmar since 2012 through Childfund, is currently working with local partners to evaluate immediate needs in the affected areas. Boys and girls have been homeless and need support in this state of emergency. The initial response of the NGO focuses on providing refuge, food distribution, water, as well as psychosocial support.

Doctors of the World, present in Myanmar since 1993, has mobilized its 250 personnel members in the country to provide an immediate emergency medical response and strengthen the resilience of the health system. From the weekend, after the earthquake, reinforcements have been sent to Mandalay, near the epicenter, to evaluate the needs and attend the population as soon as possible.

The specific objectives are to guarantee access to health services for the affected population, provide medical assistance and logistics to health centers, distribute emergency medical medicineness and essential medicines and collaborate with local partners to ensure the continuity of care.

The main activities carried out by the NGO are: Support for existing health centers and rehabilitation of the most affected, establishment of mobile clinics to reach the most isolated areas, distribution of emergency kit (trauma and primary care), coordination with health authorities and national and international humanitarian actors (OSC, NGO, UN) and prevention of epidemiological outbreaks in the affected population.

Oxfam Intermón in Myanmar has activated its emergency response team and is already sending supplies to the most affected areas to meet immediate needs and support surviving people. Oxfam Intermón is working closely with its local partners to ensure that the aid reaches the most needy people in the fastest and most effective way.

Oxfam Intermón is distributing hygiene kits, dignity and family kits with blankets and mosquito nets in affected areas. The organization ensures that its priority is to save lives, preserve dignity and prevent greater suffering in communities that face unimaginable losses.

International Plan: From the first hours after the earthquake, Plan International has deployed its emergency equipment in the affected areas to evaluate the needs of the population, which are still increasing. Millions of children live in these regions, who face a critical situation and see their exacerbated vulnerabilities due to the destruction of housing and infrastructure. The organization works in coordination with local authorities and other humanitarian actors to guarantee an effective response and prioritize childhood protection.

Although the delivery of some essential products such as food, drinking water, blankets and hygiene kits, International Plan, present in the country since 2008, has been planning to expand its response to meet urgent needs. Among the planned actions is the creation of safe spaces where children can receive emotional and psychosocial support, as well as the provision of essential kits such as hygiene products or refuge.

World Vision has been present in Myanmar since 1993. The local NGO teams, trained in disaster response, work closely collaboration with community organizations on the ground by evaluating damage and delivering urgent help, such as emergency foods, drinking water, food assistance, refuge and hygiene kits to protect boys, girls and families in these critical moments.

World Vision is deeply concerned about the well -being of children, since the risks of childhood protection are higher due to possible displacements and having remained, many of them, separated from their families. The NGO, focused on childhood, has compromised 20% of the existing funds of its area program to provide humanitarian assistance in affected areas.

Work areas of the Spanish emergency committee

The NGOs of the Spanish emergency committee work to cover a large part of the vital work areas that arise after a humanitarian crisis such as the earthquake in Myanmar.

These work areas are based on eight blocks: shelter before the loss of housing; first necessity, with the distribution of blankets, clothing, mosquiteras, etc; food security, distributing nutritional food and supplements to avoid malnutrition; urgent medical care, moving clinics, personal and medical material; water, sanitation and hygiene; humanitarian protection, guaranteeing respect for fundamental rights such as the security, integrity and dignity of people; Child protection, identifying the children who are alone, offering them a safe space and reunifying them with their families; And psychosocial support, since, the population that has gone through this type of disasters usually suffers disorders and/or post -traumatic stress, so psychosocial support and clinical sessions are so important in cases necessary.

«The experience in other humanitarian emergencies has shown us that before a catastrophe such as the earthquake in Myanmar, coordination and unanimous call to citizens is essential to achieve more help and save more lives. This union, between society and organizations, allows channeling funds in a more agile and effective way, so that NGOs that are on the field can act quickly and meet the most urgent needs that arise after an emergency, ”explains the director of the Spanish emergency committee, Sara Barbeira.

Some emergency committees of Emergency Appeals Alliance (EAA), such as Germany, Switzerland, Japan or Australia already work, such as the Spanish emergency committee, to channel help.

Companies and media also sympathize with the victims

The groups and companies that collaborate with the Emergency Committee in the collection of funds have activated their aid call plans. Atresmedia, Cecabank, Masorange, Thyssen-Bornemisza, Paypal, Hurry, RTVE, Servimedia, Triodos Bank, Vocento and WorldCoo Museum (which facilitates financing channels), have given their spaces in media, advertising, digital, television and radio programs and advertising supports to disseminate the call that is being made from the Spanish emergency committee. Companies and institutions such as Bonpreu, Iberdrola, Nicequest or Wala are also adding to the call for help.