(LiCAS News): A year after a devastating earthquake struck central Myanmar, Catholic aid groups remain on the front lines of relief as survivors struggle with displacement, poverty, and a grinding civil war that continues to stall recovery.
Catholic organisations, which stepped in early when access constraints limited broader international response, are still providing food, shelter, and basic services to communities where reconstruction has barely begun.
The disaster has evolved into a prolonged humanitarian crisis, driven by conflict, displacement, and deepening economic strain, according to a report by AsiaNews.
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake in March 2025 killed more than 5,000 people, injured at least 10,000, and displaced tens of thousands. In the hardest-hit central regions, up to 70 per cent of buildings were either severely damaged or destroyed.
While international attention initially shifted to other countries in the region, local Catholic networks moved quickly. Caritas and the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development [CAFOD], working with local partners, delivered food, water, and shelter to affected families.
The Church’s social arm, Karuna Mission Social Solidarity [KMSS], turned churches and parish compounds into reception centers for displaced communities.
Relief operations have unfolded under severe constraints. Aid workers report communication breakdowns, travel restrictions, and limited access to remote areas.
Parish-based volunteers have continued to reach isolated communities, many of them beyond the reach of government assistance.
The military junta, which has ruled since the February 2021 coup, has faced criticism over its handling of the response.
Aid workers say convoys have been blocked and movement tightly controlled through residence permits, restricting access to some of the worst-affected areas.
One year on, recovery remains slow. Many families are still living without permanent shelter, while damaged farmland and rising prices for basic goods have deepened hardship, particularly in conflict-hit areas such as Sagaing.
Children and families already living in precarious conditions before the earthquake are now facing further deterioration.
Across Myanmar, millions remain displaced by ongoing violence and seasonal flooding, compounding the effects of the disaster.
Catholic organisations, including Caritas and CAFOD, continue to provide assistance but warn that the needs remain “enormous,” especially in rebuilding homes and restoring livelihoods, with recovery still far from reach.
