Deadly Earthquake Hits War-battered Myanmar

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake—one of the most powerful in Myanmar’s history—struck the country and neighboring Thailand on March 28. As the earth violently shook in spasms, people panicked, homes collapsed, and thousands were buried under the rubble.

At the time of this writing, family members are searching desperately for loved ones who may be trapped in the rubble. The death toll has soared to more than 5,000, with fears that the number could rise to more than 10,000. A contact shared, “With limited resources due to ongoing civil conflict, the rescue operations under collapsed buildings have been very slow, and very little food and medicine are getting to the displaced.” In the days to come, the need for food could become desperate.

In addition to the many dead, thousands of people have been injured. A pastor in Myanmar shared, “Many people are sleeping on the street tonight for fear of an aftershock. There has been a nationwide blackout since the earthquake. Also, since the civil war . . . many clinics [have been shut down]. Now patients are having to wait outside the Mandalay hospital.”

Sorrow is no stranger to Myanmar

Myanmar’s history is dotted with hardship and unrest. Its people have suffered decades of hardline military rule, violence between ethnic groups, limited interaction with the outside world, and widespread poverty. Families frequently find themselves in the crossfire of the world’s longest ongoing civil war.

Responding to the needs

Although many people lost all their possessions, our contacts noted medical supplies and food as the priority for the present time. CAM is working toward providing assistance to enable contacts to distribute medical supplies, food, shelter, and other emergency aid to earthquake victims. CAM staff in neighboring Thailand will be working with contacts to help people in need. At this time, we estimate approximately $300,000 will be needed for the project. Our prayer is that the physical aid will reveal the greater gift of God’s love to the people of Myanmar. We want to give you, our supporters, the opportunity to join in our efforts.