We are here in Myanmar 

Myanmar is one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia and is often hit by natural disasters such as floods and cyclones. On 28 March 2025, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck near the city of Mandalay. The disaster caused over 5,400 deaths, thousands of injuries, and destroyed many homes and public buildings. 

This earthquake came on top of an already serious crisis, with ongoing conflict and mass displacement affecting millions. The combination of violence, displacement, and extreme weather conditions leaves people with barely enough to survive. 

ZOA’s unique role

ZOA has been present in Myanmar since 2003/2004 and operates under the official registration of the Consortium of Dutch NGOs (with Red een Kind and Woord en Daad) since 2009. However, ZOA is currently the sole governance structure and contributor.

We focus our efforts in Rakhine State (Sittwe and Kyauktaw Townships), particularly on water supplies, sanitation and food security. ZOA maintains a local team with embedded community access, enabling us to workplaces that are inaccessible to most INGOs. We work with conflict-affected internally displaced, host communities, and conflict-affected returnees. 
 

Emergency relief

Access to parts of Rakhine State remains highly restricted, making humanitarian intervention extremely challenging. Yet ZOA is one of the very few organizations present and active in the region. Following the devastating earthquake in March 2025, the need for shelter, clean water and financial assistance became urgent. ZOA responded immediately by providing three forms of emergency relief:

• Temporary shelters: We supply tents, mosquito nets and essential materials, giving people a safe place to sleep after losing their homes.
• Cash assistance: Families receive cash grants to cover their most immediate needs, allowing them to choose what is most urgent for their situation.
• House repairs: For homes that can still be saved, we offer construction materials and technical support. The faster we can carry out these repairs, the fewer people are forced to live out in the open.

Home-gardening to improve food security

In addition to emergency relief, ZOA supports families in rebuilding their lives by strengthening food security and livelihoods. In Kyauktaw Township, CDN/ZOA implements a food security and nutrition project on home-gardening. In the area of food security, we work with farmers on improving harvests. In addition, we support women in the growing their vegetables, thus enabling them to provide better for their own food security all year round.

Clean water for displaced people

Partnerships and Networks

CDN/ZOA is a member of the INGO Forum and actively engages in coordination meetings and mechanisms at national and state level. CDN/ZOA has a MoU with the Department of Agriculture. People in Need (PIN) is one of our recent consortium members. CDN/ZOA also has a number of partnership with local organizations including including Community Development Association (CDA), Myanmar Health Assistant Association (MHAA) and Action for Green Earth (AGE).

Donors

CDN/ZOA is supported by a range of multilateral, bilateral and private institutional donors. Recent bilateral and multilateral donors include EuropeAid (EU), Government of the United Sates (OFDA), UNICEF, Myanmar Humanitarian Fund (MHF), World Food Programme (WFP), Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) and the Royal  in Myanmar. CDN/ZOA also receives support from a range of private donors and foundations, such as the ZOA Business Ambassadors.