Update 28 April 2025:
A month after the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, there are still significant needs.
The 7.7 magnitude earthquake on 28 March caused major damage in six regions, including the capital city, Naypyitaw, as well as the impact of 157 aftershocks from the main quake.
The death toll is over 3,700 with over 5,000 injured.
Local churches, charities, United Nations groups and international aid agencies are all at work in the affected areas, but the needs are still huge. Many local people are also helping their neighbours out of their own resources.
Pray for:
- The Lord to sustain those who are helping.
- Wise managers of money and resources so help reaches those who need it most.
- Rest and rejuvenation for those facing so much suffering and loss as they seek to help those in need.
- Comfort for those who have lost loved ones and livelihoods.
- Christians and churches as they continue to sacrificially love their neighbours.
- People to turn to Jesus and build their lives on him.
On Friday 28 March, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar near Mandalay, the country’s second largest city. It is the worst earthquake to hit the country in over a century and the huge scale of its impact is becoming clearer.
As of Monday 31 March, over 2,000 people have died in Myanmar with thousands more injured or missing. The ongoing conflict in Myanmar between the military government and resistance groups since 2021 means getting information out of Myanmar has been challenging.
Main roads have buckled, bridges collapsed and hospitals damaged. Power supplies are interrupted and medical supplies running low.
The critical window to find survivors in the rubble is rapidly closing, while rescue workers, many of whom are volunteers, are working in high temperatures with minimal equipment.
The earthquake also caused damage over a thousand kilometres away in Bangkok, the capital of neighbouring Thailand. While there was not destruction on the same scale, a 30 storey high rise building under construction collapsed, trapping workers inside. 13 workers have sadly died, with rescue efforts still ongoing at the time of writing to free those still trapped.
All OMF workers in the region are safe and well and are supporting local churches in relief efforts.
Please pray for:
- Immediate relief efforts: search & rescue, food, water, medicine, shelter.
- Search and rescue workers: many are volunteers working in hot conditions.
- Aid to quickly reach those who need it most.
- The military government: their cooperation in aid distribution is key.
- The injured and bereaved – for healing and comfort.
- Those traumatised.
- Those who have lost their homes.
- Local Christians as they respond in love to needs around them.
- Longer term relief and rebuilding.
Practical help
Contact your local OMF centre for details of how to support emergency relief efforts in the region.
