Primate of Myanmar says crisis is ‘overwhelming’ after March earthquake
[Sydney Anglicans] “The magnitude of this crisis is overwhelming,” said the Most Rev. Stephen Than, archbishop of the Church of the Province of Myanmar, describing the aftermath of a powerful earthquake that struck six regions across Myanmar in late March.
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake, with its epicenter near Mandalay, was also felt in Thailand. It was the strongest quake to hit Myanmar in more than 100 years.
“Many lives have been lost, and countless buildings have collapsed. The crisis has led to a severe shortage of rescue workers, essential supplies and medical personnel,” Than wrote in an appeal to Australian Anglicans. “Two dioceses of the Church of the Province of Myanmar—the Diocese of Mandalay and the Diocese of Taungoo—have suffered extensive damage.”
With the death toll exceeding 4,500, Than explained that the Church of the Province of Myanmar has mobilized a Disaster Management Committee, which is struggling to meet the overwhelming demand for relief and rehabilitation.
“Additionally, our churches have become places of refuge for non-Christian earthquake victims seeking shelter and humanitarian assistance,” the archbishop said.
Sydney Archbishop Kanishka Raffel has commended an appeal launched by the Anglican Relief and Development Fund Australia.
According to the Fund, the most urgent needs are food, water, and temporary shelter.
“The Mandalay Mothers Union is initially organizing 1,000 lunch boxes per day for those affected by the earthquake. Both the Mandalay and Taungoo dioceses are mobilizing volunteers to distribute food, water, medicine, temporary shelter, mosquito nets and torches (flashlights) in the first instance,” the Fund said.
