The Myanmar Red Cross Society Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is a physical and virtual coordination system that supports timely, coherent and evidence-informed humanitarian action.

More than an equipped room, the EOC is a working method that connects MRCS leadership, technical and operational departments, headquarters, branches, response teams and partners. It manages information, supports coordination, helps prioritize resources and provides decision support across preparedness, readiness, anticipatory action, response and recovery.

The EOC supports, but does not replace, the authority of MRCS leadership or the responsibilities of technical and operational teams. A common operational picture and clear information flow help the appropriate decision-makers and responders act in a coordinated and accountable manner.

MRCS EOC Network

MRCS currently operates one Headquarters EOC and 10 State/Region EOCs. The network links national coordination with branches and community-level response and enables the two-way flow of verified information, warnings, operational needs, decisions and guidance.

Established in 2014, the Headquarters EOC maintains capacity in Yangon, backup arrangements in Nay Pyi Taw and virtual platforms that support operational continuity when physical access or normal communications are disrupted.

Core Functions

• Coordination: links MRCS departments, branches, response teams, volunteers, public authorities, Movement partners and humanitarian actors to align priorities, plans, resources and action.
• Information Management and Decision Support: collects, verifies, analyzes and shares operational information; maintains records; and produces situation reports, maps, dashboards and recommendations for decision-making.
• Internal Emergency Communications: monitors credible sources, shares warnings and early-action advice, maintains updated contacts and communication channels, and supports continuous communication between headquarters and field operations.
• Business Continuity: maintains the systems, staffing, communications, data backup and contingency arrangements needed for essential EOC and MRCS functions to continue.

How the EOC Operates

The MRCS EOC uses four operational phases so that its structure and resources can scale according to the likelihood, complexity and impact of an emergency:

• Regular Phase: maintains routine hazard monitoring, preparedness information, plans, procedures, contact and resource data, training, simulations and communication-system testing.
• Monitoring Phase: intensifies monitoring and analysis when an abnormal or extreme event may affect Myanmar and briefs the relevant MRCS focal departments and leadership.
• Alert Phase: verifies the threat with relevant technical agencies, alerts potentially affected branches, strengthens response readiness and supports early or anticipatory action.
• Activation Phase: following a decision by the MRCS Emergency Task Force (ETF), scales up staffing and coordination and may operate 24/7 to support assessments, operational meetings, information products, resource mobilization, action tracking and response reporting.

Coordination and Decision-Making

MRCS leadership and designated management structures provide strategic direction and approve response strategies, budgets and public communications. Technical departments provide sector guidance, and operational teams implement response activities. The EOC facilitates the verified information flow, coordination, documentation and follow-up that connect these roles and help prevent gaps and duplication.

Recovery, Review and Learning

The EOC continues to support coordination and information management as operations move into recovery. It helps document decisions and results, organize operational reviews, capture lessons learned and feed those lessons into updated procedures, contingency plans, training and future preparedness.

Contact the MRCS Emergency Operations Center

For official emergency coordination and EOC-related communication, please contact:

Address: 42, Strand Road, Botahtaung Township, Yangon, Myanmar
EOC Hotline: (+95) 9 940 078 898
Availability: The EOC Hotline is available 24/7 during emergency activation.
Email: mrcseoc@redcross.org.mm