By Laura Htet (UDE)

The earth has stopped shaking in Myanmar, but the effects of the massive earthquake linger like a heavy cloud. Homes are gone, families are torn apart, and every single person feels the weight of it – some with bruises and cuts, others with aching hearts. People are tired, physically and emotionally, barely hanging on. Yet, we can’t give up now. The survivors need us to keep going, to look ahead, and to get ready for what’s coming. If we just react without planning, our efforts will be messy and weak – like trying to scoop water with a leaky bucket. Right now, we need to focus on the health problems that might hit us next and figure out how to face them together.

Imagine the aftermath: rubble everywhere, people hurt and waiting for help. Some have broken bones or deep cuts. Others were trapped under debris, their bodies crushed, or they’d hit their heads hard enough to feel dizzy and lost. Spinal injuries steal the ability to move, while burns or electric shocks leave painful marks. These injuries can be serious – sometimes even deadly – and they’re often the first big danger after an earthquake. At first, the shock might hide the pain, but now it’s impossible to ignore. Then there’s the water and food – or the lack of it. With no clean water and trash piling up, sickness starts to spread. Diarrhoea creeps in fast when people drink or eat something bad. Crowded camps mean coughs and colds pass around easily. Dirty surroundings turn small cuts into nasty infections, and skin problems pop up without proper washing. Worse still, rats, mosquitoes, and flies show up in swarms, bringing diseases like dengue, malaria, or even something as scary as elephantiasis.

The weather doesn’t help, either. In central Myanmar, the sun blazes down, especially on those with no roof over their heads. It’s so hot that people faint from heatstroke, their muscles cramp, or they just feel too weak to move. Food goes bad quickly in the heat, and pests love that – spreading more trouble. The longer it stays this hot, the harder it gets to cope. But the deepest scars might not show on the outside. Losing loved ones and watching everything crumble leaves people shaken in a way that’s hard to describe. Aftershocks keep the fear alive, and some feel sad, empty, or confused. Others can’t sleep, startled awake by bad dreams or memories of the ground splitting open. Over time, this could turn into something bigger – like post-traumatic stress – where worry or numbness takes over. Grief sits heavy, and it might stay for months.

So, what can we do? Right after the quake, the focus is on saving people. Rescue teams need to rush in, pulling survivors from the wreckage and treating their wounds. We should set up temporary clinics and send out mobile medical groups with bandages, medicines, and whatever else they need. Skilled helpers might be few, so why not teach regular folks some basics – like how to stop bleeding or support a broken arm? It’s simple stuff that could save lives. More treatment spots would help, too, all stocked and ready. But it can’t be chaos. We need a clear plan to share supplies and donations fairly, so no one’s left out. This isn’t something one person can fix alone – it takes everyone working together, following a system that makes sense and keeps us connected.

Food and cleanliness matter just as much. Bad water and rotting food make people sick, and trash everywhere only adds to the problem. We need clean water – maybe with purifiers or bottles – and safe food to eat. Everyone should help keep things tidy, tossing garbage where it belongs so it can be cleared away. That one step could stop a lot of stomach bugs. Little things like soap, hand sanitizer, mosquito nets, and salts to mix with water can go a long way. If bugs or rats get out of hand, we’ll need to fight back – spraying them away and cleaning up the mess. It’s not fancy, but it keeps us healthier.

The heat is another battle. People can’t survive under that sun without shade. Shelters have to go up – not just for a day or two, but until homes are rebuilt. Fans, even handheld ones, or cool clothes can ease the heat, along with plenty of water and salt to keep people going. Random donations won’t fix this – we need groups to team up and make a real plan. Without that, the heat will wear everyone down, bit by bit.

Then there’s the emotional side. A kind word or a helping hand can lift someone’s spirits when they’re drowning in sadness. But we need more than quick comfort. Healing those hidden hurts takes time. Hotlines where people can talk, one-on-one chats with counsellors, or even group sessions could make a difference. Gathering for prayers or small acts of kindness can remind everyone they’re not alone. The survivors have lost so much – homes, loved ones – but we can surround them with care and support. It’s about holding each other up, even when everything else has fallen.

As I think about all this, I see Myanmar not just as a place of ruin, but as a land of stubborn hope. The earthquake knocked us down, no question about it. But falling isn’t the end – it’s where we start climbing. Every bandage we tie, every sip of clean water we share, every shoulder we offer to lean on builds something stronger than what we lost. These health challenges are tough, but they’re not unbeatable. Together, we’re stitching a new story – not of a country crushed, but of people who refused to stay broken. It’s messy, it’s hard, but it’s ours. And in the end, that’s what matters: not the cracks beneath our feet, but the hands reaching out to pull us through. That’s Myanmar – shaken, yes, but standing tall again, step by step, heart by heart.

#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar