News
UNESCO leads earthquake assessment mission in Myanmar
In the wake of the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar on 28 March 2025, affecting more than 15 million people and damaging over half a million buildings, UNESCO stepped in to support recovery efforts. Partnering with engineers from Miyamoto International, the global engineering and disaster management firm, UNESCO organized a rapid safety assessment mission between 28 April and 2 May 2025, to support the safe reconstruction of schools, hospitals, and housing, across the hardest-hit areas in the country.
Unsafe structures identified
鈥樷橶ithout this assessment, we would鈥檝e reopened unknowingly鈥攚e now know what鈥檚 needed to protect lives鈥 said a hospital director following a UNESCO assessment in his building. Approximately 30% of the assessed buildings鈥攊ncluding some hospitals and homes鈥攚ere unsafe due to significant structural damage. While the verdict was hard for residents and officials to hear, these assessments provided a clear action path and protected lives. They catalyzed urgent planning discussions and prioritized funding for repair and retrofitting.
Reopening schools, restoring confidence
Out of the total number of buildings affected by the earthquake, UNESCO surveyed 36 school buildings, out of which 24 were deemed safe to occupy. After each inspection, Miyamoto International engineers held face-to-face talks with school principals鈥攅xplaining the visible damage and confirming the safety of the structures. These brief but critical conversations gave school representatives the confidence to reopen, restoring a sense of normalcy for students and parents. Many of these schools reopened within days after minor repairs鈥攄emonstrating that timely engineering assessments can directly support recovery and prevent situations where children do not attend school for long periods of time.
Building back better
In several communities, residents had already begun rebuilding damaged structures using the same unsafe techniques that left them vulnerable. Under UNESCO鈥檚 leadership, Miyamoto International engineers intervened鈥攏ot only to assess the damage but to provide immediate guidance. In Mandalay, this prompted local masons to halt unsafe reconstruction and seek technical support instead.
Through debrief sessions with local communities and masons, UNESCO emphasized on the importance of proper repair methods and the need to consult qualified structural engineers.
As Myanmar begins the long road to recovery, UNESCO is developing guidelines and training materials designed to equip local masons and homeowners with practical knowledge to build safe buildings. These resources will play a central role in a wide-reaching communication and training campaign aimed at promoting safe and effective self-recovery.
UNESCO post-disaster response
In the aftermath of a disaster, and together with other UN agencies and international partners, UNESCO assists countries in their post-disaster response by assessing losses and damages, and helps them identify needs and priorities for recovery and reconstruction. This work is coupled with field investigations to determine the major causes of a particular disaster.
