Overview
Samaritan’s Purse is responding to the deadly 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand on March 28. 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 3,500 people, and injuring countless more. Search-and-rescue efforts are still underway, and the death toll is continuing 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 have established an Emergency Field Hospital to provide life-saving care. The Emergency Field Hospital capable of treating 200 patients per day and includes two operating theatres, an emergency room, in-patient wards, a pharmacy, and a laboratory—the largest model of this scalable unit.
“This devastating earthquake has rocked Myanmar and Thailand, killing at least 3,500 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.”
We have also deployed a 747 cargo plane, carrying 104 tons of critical relief supplies, including:
Six water filtration systems
Emergency shelter materials
Solar lights
Hygiene kits
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 Operation Christmas Child program, our 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.
Earthquake photo credit: AAP/Thein Zaw
