Evaluation of the 2025 Myanmar Earthquake Response

This evaluation assesses the DEC-funded earthquake response in Myanmar implemented by Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and its local partner, Chan Myae Mitta Development Association (CMMDA), following the March 2025 earthquake that affected Mandalay and Sagaing regions. Concern Worldwide as a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), worked with its partner Welthungerhilfe (WHH) to implement a response as Concern does not have a presence in Myanmar. The project provided multipurpose cash assistance (MPCA) to earthquake-affected communities in a highly complex operating environment characterised by ongoing conflict, political instability, and severe access constraints.

The earthquake caused significant death, suffering and displacement. Following the earthquake, the Sagaing region has been severely affected by armed clashes which have caused further displacement and left many people stranded in insecure areas.

In October 2025, the evaluation team carried out a review of documents, and 54 interviews and focus group discussions with people affected by the earthquake, recipients of cash assistance and staff involved in the response, followed by a discussion on emerging findings in a validation workshop with CDDMA and WHH staff.

The project successfully delivered a one-off cash payment of 360,000 MMK to 5,552 households between August and September 2025. The amount was equivalent to approximately 86 USD at the time of transfer, representing approximately six months of support at the Cash and Market Working Group recommended monthly transfer value. 2,506 households were supported through direct implementation by WHH (1,411 in Mandalay and 1,095 in Sagaing). WHH’s local partner CMMDA reached 3,046 households (1,095 in Mandalay and 1,951 in Sagaing).

The intervention was evaluated against the OECD DAC extended criteria of relevance, coherence, coverage, efficiency, effectiveness, impact, and connectedness using an agreed framework of analysis.