Life before the repairs
When a powerful earthquake struck Myanmar on 28 March 2025, it killed nearly 4,000 people and left six million in urgent need. Among those affected was U Wai, 57, from Kay Lar village on Inle Lake, along with his wife and two sons.
Just two years before, they had built their two-storey home with lottery winnings. When the quake hit, the supporting poles cracked, walls split, and belongings were swept into the lake.
I couldn’t sleep for four or five days after the earthquake because I was so scared.
U Wai remembers.
For weeks, the family lived in a temporary shelter with 30 others, afraid to stay in their damaged home. Food, cooking supplies, and even daily routines were lost in the water. Aftershocks kept them ready to flee at any sign of danger.
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Support reaches Kay Lar village
ShelterBox and our partners launched repair efforts in 36 rural villages across Mandalay and Southern Shan states — using local carpenters, timber or bamboo frames, corrugated iron roofing, solar lights, and kitchen sets to help homes brave the upcoming rainy season. Repairing one house takes three days.
U Wai’s family received supplies to rebuild the northern wall — nails, lumber, and funding for carpenters’ wages. The hope is that with one or two more tons of wood, the rest of the house can be finished.
“If I can get another ton of wood, it will be enough to cover the entire house. It will take about 10 more days to finish the repairs.” — U Wai
After the repairs begin
With the northern wall completed and the wooden frame restored, the house is once again upright, solid, and welcoming. Though the rains are heavy in Inle Lake and aftershocks still rumble the earth, U Wai no longer sleeps on edge. The wooden floor and roof — some reused materials — keep wind and water outside. The family can cook again; eating together as a family inside their home once more.
Electricity has not yet returned, and they fetch water from the east bank — still, the repaired home makes a difference.
Our house will be rebuilt tomorrow, and the poles will be replaced. I will repaint it green — that is my favourite colour. Thank you for your support during this challenging time, and I pray for continued generosity.
— U Wai
Our work in Myanmar
Join us in supporting Myanmar
ShelterBox’s work in Myanmar is far from over.
As conflict and climate change continue to displace families, the need for shelter, safety, and hope grows stronger.
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Together, we can ensure that no one is left after crisis.
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