Urgent Earthquake Relief Needed for the People of Inle Lake
On the 28th of March 2025, a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar. While images of swaying skyscrapers from as far away as Bangkok made headlines around the world, the real devastation that occurred in the Myanmar cities of Mandalay, Sagaing, and in the towns on and around Inle Lake in Myanmar’s Shan State went largely unreported. Yet here, the destruction has been apocalyptic. Whole communities have been completely shattered with 100s of lives lost and the total destruction of homes, temples, businesses, schools and hospitals broken and brought to the ground by the violence of the earthquake.
For those who have visited Inle Lake, the reality is heartbreaking—more than 80% of the buildings on the lake have been destroyed. In the three villages that surround the Inle Princess Resort, more than 400 of the 500 families that live there have lost their homes. There has been no electricity supply since the earthquake struck, making life very difficult for the people of Inle and making it difficult to get clear updates. However, from the information that we have received from our staff and their families tells of a dire situation there. And to make matters worse, just three hours after the earthquake, military airstrikes resumed in Shan State, adding to the suffering of the people in this region.
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A Community in Crisis
In Nyaungshwe Township and across Inle Lake, traditional bamboo and wooden stilt houses have collapsed, leaving families homeless. Many lives have been lost, and many people are still reported as missing. Power and communication lines are down, and food, clean water, and shelter are becoming increasingly scarce.
This disaster follows many years of hardship:
• The global pandemic (2020–2023)
• The military coup (since 2021) and ongoing civil war
• Historic flooding from Typhoon Yagi (September 2023), which submerged homes and farmland under 3 meters of water
These communities were just beginning to recover from the damage that was caused by the floods when the earthquake struck. With the economy in complete collapse and the central government focused elsewhere, there is no support for them from the state, they have no one to turn to for help and assistance.
How Can You Help?
Despite these overwhelming challenges, the people of Inle Lake have remained resilient, relying on their strong community bonds. But now, they have lost nearly everything. They need urgent help simply to survive the coming days.
With a donation of 25 USD, we can provide one emergency survival kit for a family (Water, Food, Medicine, Blankets…) – enough supplies to last a family for 8 to 10 days.
Every contribution counts—whether it’s 1, 2, 10, or even 100 survival kits, every survival kit will support a family, keep them alive, for another week. Any and all support that you can spare will make a BIG difference to the lives of the people of Inle.
Rebuilding Together
Local teams are already working to salvage materials from the rubble to start rebuilding homes. But right now, the priority is simply survival.
Please stand in solidarity with the people of Inle Lake.
Donations can be made directly to Secret Retreats to ensure that 100% of the donated funds will go directly to the affected families (no intermediaries, no admin fees, we pass 100% of all donations straight to the people of Inle).
Payment link for donation (Click here): https://donate.stripe.com/7sIg1s0sX3JgfMQ3e5
Or scan QR code to donate here
