“I was very scared and didn’t know what to do”: Myanmar earthquake response update
BRAC Myanmar released $95,000 of its own reserves to launch immediate humanitarian support, including emergency food and medicine, for families affected by the devastating earthquake.
When a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck on March 28, Myo Myo, a 50-year-old BRAC group loan client from Yamethin, Myanmar, was showering. “My sister was washing clothes outside,” she recalls. As they called out “earthquake!” to one another, their wall collapsed. “I was very scared and didn’t know what to do.” Her son rushed downstairs. He was worried about his mother, thinking she was asleep. But he fell, breaking his leg as he crashed down the stairs.
These are the stories emerging from BRAC program participants and clients all over the country as staff reach out to check on each of them. Myo, her son—with a bandage on his leg—and sister are, like so many others, staying close to family by day. They take no risks at night: “We sleep outside, in front of our house,” Myo says.
Send relief to families like Myo’s.
Humanitarian needs remain urgent
People all over the affected regions are sleeping outside. Many BRAC team members are sleeping outside, too.
Wut Yee Htun, BRAC Myanmar’s Manager of Communications and Knowledge Management, says they’re simply scared. “People can’t stay inside buildings at night, because they’re afraid an earthquake will come again while they sleep.” Indeed, since Friday, the people of Myanmar have endured more than 200 aftershocks. These aftershocks have further complicated critical emergency response efforts.
Several BRAC staff are sleeping in tents outside, because the earthquakes have damaged staff residences. The population fears that another earthquake will come in their sleep.
Preliminary reports indicate that upwards of 2,719 people have been killed and over 4,521 others injured, while many are also missing in central and northwestern Myanmar. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that the death toll is likely to surpass 10,000 people.
The earthquake caused widespread destruction. Little was spared from severe damage or destruction, from homes, schools, and religious sites, to critical infrastructure like airports, bridges, and roads. Supply infrastructure and communication towers were also severely impacted, with electricity and water services disrupted.
Extend a lifeline to families reeling from the earthquake in Myanmar.
As the full scale of the disaster unfolds, urgent humanitarian assistance is in high demand. The most pressing needs include access to clean water, sanitation services, food, shelter, and emergency medicine.
BRAC Myanmar has released $95,000 of its reserves for its immediate efforts to support affected people with emergency food and medicine.
But the team estimates that the needs are much greater. 23 out of BRAC’s 68 operating areas in Myanmar, which serve 38,648 participants and clients, have been impacted by the earthquake. Our colleagues estimate more than 12,000 BRAC participants and clients could be affected with damaged homes or loss of their businesses or income sources, in addition to countless others across their communities.
Donor support will be critical to deliver urgent food, medicine, and more to those in need. Rush your gift today to send a lifeline to families affected by the Myanmar Earthquake.
Donor support is critical to deliver urgent food, medicine, and more to those in need.
Impacts to BRAC staff
We are grateful to report that none of BRAC’s staff were killed or seriously injured in the earthquake. However, the disaster damaged 15 BRAC offices, including severe damage to six, several of which also served as staff living quarters. Staff from four offices are now without shelter, power, proper food, or basic living needs.
“There are some branches that are no longer suitable working or living accommodations, so BRAC staff moved to other nearby branch offices and are staying together,” Wut shared. “Now they can all access toilets, but there is concern of water shortages.”
BRAC Myanmar is sending vehicles carrying power generators, fuel, medicines, rechargeable lights, and dry food to the four locations where staff are most vulnerable. They’re also providing psychosocial support.