Rescuing animals during disasters - Southeast Asia
When people are prepared, animals are protectedIFAW is rushing aid following major earthquake in Myanmar
IFAW is rushing aid following major earthquake in Myanmar
April 1, 2025
IFAW is sending emergency support to Let’s Save the Strays International, one of the few organisations able to provide urgent care to community animals impacted by the earthquake. The teams are operating in the hardest hit areas of Mandalay, conducting assessment, in addition to providing veterinary care, food, water, and other specialised care as needed.
In the wake of this devastating earthquake, 2,719 people have been confirmed dead, 4,521 are injured, and over 441 are missing. Damage to critical infrastructure—including bridges, highways, airports and railways—is slowing humanitarian efforts, but we remain in close communication with our partners on the ground to support their critical efforts.
Earthquake response in Myanmar. Photo: © LSTSI
Many buildings have crumbled entirely, while others sustain serious damage. It is not safe to be indoors anywhere, so rescue teams are sleeping outside. Let’s Save the Strays’ veterinary clinic suffered damage, and other clinics in Mandalay have been destroyed—so, IFAW is assisting in the strategic planning of this rescue operation, helping teams figure out how they can best approach this situation and make use of the resources they have available.
Earlier this month, IFAW helped Let’s Save the Strays purchase two generators for their clinics Mandalay and Yangon, helping them continue their lifesaving work amidst destructive civil conflict. Now, these generators are keeping the team powered up as they rescue earthquake victims.
IFAW remains in contact with past partners and groups on the ground to determine their needs and how we can support.
Destruction in Mandalay, Myanmar, caused by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake. Photo: © LSTSI
IFAW is rushing aid following major earthquake in Myanmar
March 28, 2025
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, with tremors reaching parts of Thailand, on Friday, 28 March, killing more than 144 people and burying dozens under the rubble. A strong aftershock of 6.4 magnitude also struck Myanmar with devastating tremors affecting Thailand and China.
Our thoughts are with the people of Myanmar and surrounding areas. In times of crisis like these, animals are often the forgotten victims, left in desperate need of help. Both wildlife and domestic animals may be injured from debris or trapped under fallen buildings.
A recent sterilization and vaccination clinic of stray dogs with IFAW's local partner, Let's Save the Strays International, in Myanmar. Photo: © LSTSI
IFAW is rushing emergency aid to our partners on the ground and reaching out to local contacts and partners in the region. Our relationships in Myanmar date back to 2015, when our disaster response team helped rescue animals impacted by Cyclone Komen. IFAW continued working with communities to develop Safelands to mitigate the impacts of future disasters. Most recently, IFAW supported Let’s Save the Strays International to increase their capacity to run two veterinary clinics in Myanmar focused on community animals. We are gathering information as field assessments become possible.
IFAW continues to collaborate with organizations and government agencies in Southeast Asia to help coordinate response efforts amid earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis, and we’ve helped them create plans to be prepared when disasters strike. We’ve supported these teams to collaborate with one another, sharing knowledge, resources, and talent, so every community can be ready to protect itself and its animals.
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