Holding Our Partners Close After the Earthquake in Myanmar & Thailand

Dear Friends,

You likely started your day with the news of the devastating earthquake that struck central Burma/Myanmar and was felt across the region at 2am EST. I’m relieved to share that all of our colleagues are safe, though information about the scale of the devastation remains limited and we’re still reaching out to our partners to better understand their situation.

The epicenter was near Mandalay, in central Myanmar. Locals and activists reported that, less than two hours before the earthquake, also in central Myanmar, the military carried out an airstrike targeting civilians, one of several in that particular area in recent weeks. While we cannot independently confirm this specific attack, the fear of aerial assaults is a constant reality for people living under this regime. The locals said that when the earthquake struck, residents knew it would be safer to move from their homes and shelters to open spaces, but doing so risked exposure to renewed attacks from above. They are forced to make unimaginable choices regarding their own survival.

As of this morning, the Myanmar junta has reported 144 confirmed deaths and 730 injuries. It remains difficult to receive updated information as this same junta has cut off communications—including the internet—in much of the country as part of its broader efforts to suppress dissent and isolate the population. Tragically, we anticipate that the casualties will rise as local networks assess and document the extent of the crisis and release their own findings in the coming days.

The earthquake was strongly felt in Thailand, too. According to authorities in Bangkok, at least 10 people were killed at three construction sites, one of which involved the collapse of a skyscraper. More than 100 people are still said to be missing from these locations. Infrastructure also shook throughout the northern city of Chiang Mai, where people described a sudden, jarring fear as buildings trembled around them.

Please hold our partners and their communities in your hearts and prayers. Already so weary from violence, displacement, diminishing resources, and the painful sense that much of the world has turned away, they are now facing yet another blow to their survival.

We’ll share updates with you as soon as we receive more information from the ground, and we remain grateful for your commitment and concern.