Myanmar Earthquake disaster

Last update 7-Apr-2025 1619 GMT

Fontyart - alumni round table

INSEAD Alumni are trying to help, we contacted alumni on the ground and invite you to share a link to this page in your promotions' whatsapp groups.

You can use this link:

https://fontyart.org/myanmar

Ofer SHOSHAN (2000D) and Jean SCEMAMA (2000J)

Please feel free to contact us at ofer@fontyart.org , jean@fontyart.org

From Enrico Cesenni (MBA’09D) - on the ground

At this stage authorities are focusing on rescue, with the support of military / civilian rescue teams from a variety of countries.

Concurrently, aid organizations are mobilizing on the ground – first the ones who were already in the country (incl. UN agencies), then the ones who were operating regionally. Private sector has also mobilized extensively with food / shelter / water donations, across a wider range of sites.

Through our group, Asia Strategic Holdings, and EXERA (largest risk management company in Myanmar), we are providing round the clock assistance in Mandalay.

There are excellent organizations that one can leverage (See my LinkedIn post - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/enricocesenni_myanmar-earthquake-communities-activity-7312394424485888000-wZsF?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAAI0x0BPyvZmQazvLpUWuXzIIBBZWfGUBk):

From Grace Su Lei Naing, MBA’20J

We’ve seen a number of responses from local and INGOs that are responding to immediate humanitarian relief such as water, food and basic medical supplies. Honestly it’s been hard for the formal international aid and rescue missions because the military gov is having a controlled access. We've also already passed the 72 hour mark, so the chances of survival for those trapped is very slim... now the focus should be on getting people up to their feet.. make sure that the food systems are not broken.

A lot of death tolls and major damages are in towns, but in the villages where farmers are at, there’s no death tolls but they’ve suffered damages to the house, wells, and small bridges. Now is the harvest season, so we expect them to face major difficulties turning the harvest to money. There is also a major risk of groundwater liquefaction, which will affect farmers’ access to water for farming.

Anyway, at Proximity, we are raising a 500k emergency fund to support farmers during this time.. such as rebuilding connector small bridges, to connect farmers to main roads, and some water storage facilities. Any contributions will do, we are a US 501c tax-exempt organisation. We’ll be able to prepare a one pager on this by next week, if that’s something that you’d be keen.

Alternatively, if you want to just fund directly to immediate assistance relief I'd recommend this two:

  • Myriad USA is activating its DisasterLink network and working with trusted local partners in their response efforts. Their initial partner for this response is Medical Action Myanmar, which is providing critical medical aid to the most vulnerable communities affected by the earthquake: Donation Link

  • Mutual Aid Myanmar another 501C entity, but has partnerships with local smaller groups to deliver humanitarian relief https://www.mutualaidmyanmar.org/

You can reach Grace directly at Gracesuleinaing@proximitydesigns.org

From Luc de Waegh, MBA'88J

Quick update

  1. Rescue and recovery period is closed. Priority is to assist survivors.

  2. Aid is now pouring in - not always well coordinated.

  3. Airport in Mandalay will reopen soon for military aircrafts. The runway is damaged (unlike NPT). They now have to do medical evacuations by road.

  4. The scale of the disaster makes it difficult for uncoordinated private initiatives to be efficient

What is most needed is in that order:

  1. Temporary shelters adapted to tropical conditions. The monsoon is around the corner (in 4-6 weeks). Many people live in the street at the moment.

  2. Water treatment equipment

  3. Mobile clinics

Get in touch

ofer@fontyart.org,
jean@fontyart.org