One year after the earthquake, recovery in central Myanmar remains fragile but ongoing, with communities taking the lead in rebuilding their lives alongside support from UNDP. The damage is still visible, and many families live beside unsafe structures while struggling to restore livelihoods and access basic services amid ongoing conflict and economic pressures. Despite these challenges, people show remarkable determination, reopening markets, schools, and health centers, and restarting small businesses as they plan for the future.
UNDP has focused on safety and practical support, helping demolish severely damaged buildings, clear debris, and salvage materials to make rebuilding more affordable. Efforts also include assisting families with lost property papers and insurance documents, restoring public spaces, and providing paid work through debris clearance and community projects. These interventions not only make daily life safer but also provide vital income for families to survive and rebuild.
Recovery is complicated by Myanmar’s overlapping crises, including widespread displacement and economic stress. Rebuilding occurs amid insecurity, rising costs, and changing access to resources. Nonetheless, communities demonstrate resilience, exemplified by collective initiatives such as rebuilding local water systems while creating work opportunities for displaced neighbors. This local solidarity is essential for sustaining recovery and enhancing the impact of UNDP’s support.
Significant progress has been made over the past year, with nearly 2,000 houses repaired or rebuilt, work underway on 9,500 more, debris cleared, roads reopened, and water systems restored. Recovery efforts also include livelihood support and cash-for-work programs, helping thousands regain income and stability. The coming year will focus on scaling up debris clearance, restoring infrastructure, expanding livelihoods support, and restarting businesses, reinforcing that sustained engagement is crucial.
Strong partnerships and continued support are vital for recovery at this scale. Flexible funding and collaboration with governments such as Japan and the Republic of Korea have enabled UNDP to maintain assistance as needs evolve. Despite real progress, recovery remains fragile, and without continued support, many families risk being left with unfinished homes, unstable livelihoods, and incomplete services. The central lesson is clear: recovery works best when communities lead, shaping the process to ensure solutions are relevant, sustainable, and resilient.
