Myanmar:One year after the earthquake,Paing Thu Zaw becomes more independent thanks to HI

A year ago, a powerful earthquake struck the city of Mandalay, turning Paing Thu Zaw and his family life upside down. Thanks to HI’s support, they are gradually regaining hope and independence.

In a living room with a cement floor, a person is crouching down, adjusting a device positioned at the foot and ankle of another person sitting on a green plastic chair. The seated person has their legs stretched out in front of them and is watching the procedure. The background shows concrete walls decorated with calendars and pictures, a television set on a piece of furniture, and several pieces of fabric hanging from the ceiling.

Paing Thu Zaw Thu Zaw exercising with the support of his mother Daw Cho at their home | © HI

On March 28, 2025, a powerful earthquake struck the Mandalay region in Myanmar. Many homes were damaged, and entire families lost their livelihoods. In this already fragile context, people with disabilities and their caregivers are particularly at risk. Access to healthcare, mobility, and psychosocial support became even more difficult after the disaster.

Life marked by dependence

Paing Thu Zaw , 22, lives with his parents in the town of Amarapura, in Mandalay, in modest conditions. Born with a disability that causes muscle weakness and mild visual impairment, he cannot walk or perform simple daily tasks without assistance. For most of his life, he has been entirely dependent on his mother, Daw Cho, to get around.

His father worked at a fruit wholesale market, which allowed him to provide for the family.

Because he did not have a wheelchair at the time, his parents had to carry him whenever he needed to go out. As Paing Thu Zaw grew older, this became increasingly difficult for them.

The earthquake: another shock for the family

The earthquake that struck Mandalay on March 28, 2025, worsened their situation. The tremors destroyed the walls of the family's home. Paing Thu Zaw and his mother, who were inside at the time, were both injured. Unable to carry him, his mother did everything she could to get him to safety by dragging him out of the house, which was in danger of collapsing.

Since her husband was at work at the time and she had no one to help her, she was unable to take him to the hospital. She bought medicine and treated their injuries herself.

The earthquake also destroyed the father’s workplace. He lost his job, leaving the family with no source of income

Humanity & Inclusion (HI)’s support

A few months after the disaster, HI teams visited their community to identify people with disabilities and offer them support.

After assessing his needs, Paing Thu Zaw began rehabilitation sessions to improve his muscle strength and mobility. Later, in October, he received a wheelchair. Although he still cannot use it fully independently, it greatly facilitates his mobility and supports his mother too. HI also provided him with a hand-strengthening ball and a device to help him work on leg movement.

Thanks to regular exercises, his condition has significantly improved. After a few months, Paing Thu Zaw was able to visit his neighbors on his own and spend time outside with his mother. This progress has restored his confidence and motivates him to continue his rehabilitation work.

Support caregivers too

Daw Cho, Paing Thu Zaw’s mother, also received psychosocial support to help her overcome her own trauma. This support helped her manage the stress and difficulties related to her son’s condition and the impact of the earthquake. It has also enabled her to assist Paing Thu Zaw with his rehabilitation exercises at home.

“I was stressed and desperate. Since HI has been supporting us, my son’s condition has improved, and people look at us differently. The psychosocial support sessions bring me peace.” Says Daw Cho

Date published: 31/03/26