Source: United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)

One month has passed since the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on 28 March 2025, which was also felt in Thailand and southwest China. UN-Habitat and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) reiterate their condolences for the tragic loss of life and call for greater investment in disaster risk reduction and urban resilience  in earthquake-prone countries – to help prevent such tragedies in the future. This call carries special significance today, as the UN General Assembly votes to designate 29 April as the International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes.

Earthquakes are among the deadliest natural hazards and are responsible for some of the most devastating disasters in human history. Their sudden nature means proactive disaster risk reduction is essential to reducing deaths and economic losses. And as it is often said, it is not earthquakes that kill people, but the collapse of buildings. Hence, countries in earthquake-prone zones must proactively invest in building their resilience. This means updating and enforcing building codes to ensure all new structures are earthquake-resistant as well as retrofitting old ones to meet resilience standards.

The impact of the earthquake in Myanmar, which as of 24 April resulted in the death of over 3,700 people, injuries of nearly 4,800, and the destruction of almost 65,000 structures, including homes, schools, and hospitals, is a sad reminder of the terrible cost of disasters. Moreover, the existing vulnerabilities, from years of conflict and instability, worsened the earthquake’s impact, highlighting the importance of disaster risk reduction in countries affected by conflict, violence, or fragility.

However, there is an opportunity for Myanmar to emerge from this disaster more resilient if the recovery process is based on the “build back better” approach, as called for in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. UN-Habitat and UNDRR are committed to supporting countries to accelerate the implementation of the Sendai Framework in the remaining five years to help them avoid the worst impacts of disasters.

This includes recognizing the vital role of housing in resilience building, as Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, states: “In these challenging times, our unwavering commitment is to support the communities affected by the earthquake. Since establishing our office in Myanmar following Cyclone Nargis, we have focused on risk-sensitive urban development to enhance resilience. Earthquakes do more than just damage buildings; they profoundly affect lives and the fabric of communities. Together with our partners and the communities themselves, we are dedicated not only to rebuilding housing and infrastructure but also to instilling hope, ensuring that each step we take makes the rebuilt areas stronger and more resilient than before.”

UN-Habitat has been engaged in a range of projects across Myanmar, as detailed in the Country Programme Overview 2024–2026, which include essential initiatives such as solid waste management, climate action, and the implementation of nature-based solutions for disaster risk reduction. These efforts are complemented by upcoming initiatives aimed at developing nature-based solutions, climate-resilient schools, and resilient villages. This integrated approach ensures that resilience-building activities are both comprehensive and inclusive, addressing the immediate and long-term needs of Myanmar’s communities.

Enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation is key to responding to these challenges, and the United Nations stands ready to support on this front. That is why international assistance to Myanmar must be increased to address urgent humanitarian needs, in urban and in hard-to-reach rural areas, and to support recovery efforts. This includes support to help Myanmar better understand the climate and disaster risks it faces and to strengthen its early warning system, which was impacted by the earthquake.

Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of UNDRR, echoed the call made by the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator, urging the international community to step up its support in this critical time: “The people of Myanmar urgently require unwavering support from the international community in these trying times. I call on all nations to redouble their efforts in reducing disaster risks and bolstering resilience, ensuring that communities are better protected against all hazards.”

He also emphasized the importance of proactive measures to reduce earthquake disaster losses, noting, “Our understanding of the physics of earthquakes has improved. We also understand how buildings and infrastructure respond to earthquakes, and we know how to make them safer. From designing a simple structure to a complex physical infrastructure, engineering knowledge is at an all-time high. Yet the risk of losses from earthquakes is rising in most seismic countries. But trend is not destiny. It can be arrested. It can be reversed.”

UN-Habitat and UNDRR are committed to supporting countries to build their disaster resilience and are cooperating in several areas. UN-Habitat has been an active member of the UNDRR-hosted International Recovery Platform since its inception. Additionally, both UN agencies are co-organizing sessions on resilient housing and reconstruction ahead and during the 8th Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2025), which will be held this June in Geneva.

Little can be done to prevent hazards like earthquakes from occurring. However, plenty can be done to prevent the damage they cause. Investing in disaster risk reduction and urban resilience building is the best way to save lives and protect sustainable development.