A tragedy still unfolding
On Friday March 28, early in the afternoon, a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar. The shocks continued for several minutes, leveling buildings, cracking roads, collapsing bridges, and sending thousands into the streets seeking safety. When the shaking stopped, over 3,000 people were dead, and many thousands more left homeless and without access to basic services like water, food, electricity, and sanitation.
Some of the hardest hit areas include Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city, and the country’s capital, Naypyidaw. These are areas controlled by the government and accessible only by clearing military checkpoints along highways and roads.
Basic infrastructure services like electricity, water, and sanitation are lacking for thousands. Those trying to help face complications like shortages of food and lodging. For example, many hotels and inns are closed due to structural damage.
Foreign aid is beginning to trickle in from countries including China, India, Russia, and the United States. The European Union is also sending aid. Humanitarian organizations are also arriving on-site. Samaritan’s Purse has delivered over 100 tons of relief supplies and an emergency field hospital.
Local churches are also reaching out and, in some cases, reaching areas inaccessible to others.
We too are working with individuals and ministry partners to help areas most in need.
How you can pray. Ask the Lord to provide safety for relief teams, and for safe access to areas where help is needed most. Pray that the entire tragedy will lead to a greater interest in the gospel, and that all supplies offered in the name of the Lord Jesus will open doors for people to be receptive to hearing the gospel message.