Already under severe strain from internal conflict, Myanmar has been hit by yet another disaster. A devastating earthquake on 28 March struck a region already torn apart by civil war, displacement, and widespread suffering. We ask for your prayers for all those affected, and for those responding to the great needs of the people.
The 7.7 magnitude earthquake ravaged the Sagaing area, an epicentre of intense military conflict. With dozens of people injured and widespread damage to building and infrastructure, the disaster has highlighted the vulnerabilities of a nation in turmoil. The Sagaing Bridge collapsed, buildings were damaged, and scenes of panic have filled the streets as people desperately sought safety.
Father Cyprian, rector of the seminary in Yangon, which is supported by Missio, describes the dramatic situation:
‘In Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city, countless buildings have collapsed. We fear that many people can only be recovered dead from the rubble. There is great chaos.’
A local source from near the epicentre told Fides News Service:
‘The tragedy is that there is little or no aid. We see so much solidarity among the people, but… there are no functioning civil institutions, so everything is left to the goodwill of the population or the organisation of ethnic minority communities and armies.’
Disaster upon tragedy
The earthquake has come during an existing conflict in Myanmar. Over 3 million people are already internally displaced and many more have fled to neighbouring countries.
Places of worship have often come under attack, including St Patrick’s Cathedral in Banmaw, Kachin State which was set on fire recently. Bishop of Banmaw, Raymond Sumlut Gam, explained the background to the attacks:
‘Since the beginning of December last year, the area where our Catholic complex in Banmaw is located (the cathedral, two clergy houses, the pastoral centre, the residential shelter) has been at the centre of clashes between the army and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). We, along with all the staff, religious, priests, and lay people, had to flee. At the end of February, the battle unfortunately took place within our very structures.’
The continued violence, and now the disastrous earthquake are blows to those Burmese people, with many already seeking refuge abroad. But they are still hoping and praying that peace will return and their country may be rebuilt. One refugee who is originally from the Diocese of Banmaw said:
‘Our faith and fidelity to the Lord Jesus Christ will never be destroyed by fire or the fear instilled by violence.’
Please join us in prayer
Fr Anthony Chantry, Missio’s National Director in England and Wales, asks for prayers for the unfolding situation. He shares:
‘I have reached out to the Missio National Director in Myanmar to offer him our support and promise of prayers for the victims of the earthquake. Please join me in praying that the world will reach out to the people of Myanmar to relieve their suffering, and that peace may finally come to their troubled homeland.’
The international Missio network will be helping the Church to respond and rebuild – reaching out to people in need following the earthquakes and the tragic events of the past weeks, and continuing our support of those people who are already displaced by violence and crisis.
If you would like to contribute to Missio’s Mission Emergency Response, you can do so here>>