Responding to Deadly Earthquake in Myanmar

Samaritan’s Purse is responding to the deadly 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand on Friday 28 March. It was followed just 12 minutes later by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock. This powerful quake has caused widespread destruction across both countries—collapsing buildings and infrastructure, killing more than 2,000 people, and injuring countless more. Search-and-rescue efforts are still underway, and the death toll is expected to climb. The Ministry of Health in Myanmar has requested assistance as tens of thousands are suffering.

In response, we immediately mobilised our Disaster Assistance Response Team, including deploying team members from our Vietnam and Cambodian field offices. We are preparing to send an Emergency Field Hospital to provide life-saving care. The Emergency Field Hospital will include two operating theatres, an emergency room, inpatient wards, a pharmacy, and a laboratory—the largest model of this scalable unit.

Help Earthquake Survivors

The Samaritan’s Purse DC-8 combi-jet departed North Carolina for Myanmar yesterday (Monday 31 March). It has been fully loaded with an Emergency Field Hospital and 28 disaster response specialists, including doctors and nurses.

“This devastating earthquake has rocked Myanmar and Thailand, killing at least 1,700 people and leaving entire communities in ruins,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “Now, families are grieving the loss of loved ones and many are left with nothing— sleeping outside in the elements as aftershocks continue. Samaritan’s Purse is responding in Jesus’ Name to bring relief to those who are hurting. Please pray for all those affected and for our teams as they serve.”

In the coming days, Samaritan’s Purse will airlift in additional components of the large-scale field hospital, water filtration systems, emergency shelter material, torches, and hygiene kits. The organisation is working closely with local authorities and trusted church partners on the ground to coordinate relief efforts.

Samaritan’s Purse has a long history in Myanmar, having responded to Cyclone Nargis in 2008 and maintained a country office there from 2017 to 2022. Through its Operation Christmas Child programme, the organisation has continued serving children and families in Myanmar—sending more than 22,000 shoebox gifts last year alone.

This quake is the strongest to hit the region in over a century. Please pray for so many who are reeling in the wake of this sudden disaster.

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