Support for Earthquake Victims in Myanmar

On March 28, 2025, we received the heartbreaking news that a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 had struck Myanmar.

To provide swift support, JTS promptly applied for an e-visa. However, despite our urgency, the visa was not issued even after several days—possibly due to system issues caused by the earthquake. We visited the embassy in person to request assistance. Thanks to the active support of the staff there, we were fortunately able to obtain the visa without further issues.

We packed suitcases full of items to distribute to the earthquake victims, including toothpaste, toothbrushes, and reusable water purifiers, and boarded a flight on the night of April 5. After spending the early hours at the transit point in Bangkok Airport, we took a one-hour flight the next morning to finally arrive in Yangon, Myanmar, where the intense heat of midsummer greeted us.

Upon arriving at our accommodation, we set out to purchase bus tickets to Mandalay, one of the areas hardest hit by the earthquake. However, this too was not an easy task. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of a local supporter who helped JTS by searching for several days, we were finally able to secure tickets to Mandalay.

As the rainy season was fast approaching in Myanmar, the JTS Emergency Relief Team determined that the most urgent need was to provide sturdy tents to protect those who lost their homes in the earthquake from rain and wind. To address this, the team scheduled a meeting with a tent supplier and carefully reviewed various samples and price lists one by one to determine which products would be the most suitable.

The next day, we visited the warehouse where the tents were stored. Inside the sweltering heat of the warehouse, sweat poured down endlessly, but we remained focused—engaging in serious discussions and tough negotiations to provide the best possible tents to the affected residents at the lowest possible cost.

In the end, we were able to purchase 99 tents at a significantly lower price than the retail cost. Although we were somewhat disappointed by the limited stock—possibly due to the aftermath of the earthquake—we were still deeply grateful to have secured these much-needed tents.

We arranged for the tents to be delivered to Mandalay by a supply truck, while we headed there ahead of them. Although the trip normally takes around 10 hours by bus, no one could say for certain how long it would take due to the impact of the earthquake. Fortunately, the bus that departed at 8 p.m. traveled through the night and safely arrived in Mandalay at 6 a.m.

Venerable Kittisara, a monk active in the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB), kindly came to meet us at the bus terminal. Despite the early hour, we had breakfast together and shared updates on the damage, while seriously discussing plans for the work ahead. After briefly dropping off our luggage at our accommodation, we immediately set out to survey the affected areas.

In various places throughout Mandalay, collapsed buildings were clearly visible. There were quite a few dangerous buildings leaning sideways or forward, looking as if they could collapse at any moment, and just seeing them made our hearts race.

Many people could no longer live in houses that had collapsed or were severely damaged, so they were continuing to live in poor conditions under tents on the streets. As expected, the affected residents were very fearful of the approaching rainy season.

We visited the site where temporary tents were being constructed to inspect the materials firsthand. To protect against the heavy rain and strong winds of the upcoming rainy season, waterproof fabric was needed not only for the roofs but also to cover all sides. Therefore, we thought long rolls of waterproof fabric would be ideal. This way, it could be cut into appropriately sized pieces according to the needs of each family, making it more practical.

In Mandalay, due to the impact of the earthquake, the price of waterproof fabric was very high, and the quality was much worse than what we saw in Yangon. As a result, we negotiated with a supplier in Yangon and were able to purchase 82 rolls of waterproof fabric at a reasonable price. Eighty-two rolls are enough to build temporary shelters for about 350 households in Myanmar.

For those who had lost their homes and belongings, even securing their daily meals was a great challenge. In Mandalay, Venerable Kirisara worked together with JTS to distribute food packages containing rice, cooking oil, ramen, and other essentials to the villagers.

That day, people’s expressions were unusually bright. Although some wiped away tears from time to time, they repeatedly expressed their gratitude. It was clear that the residents felt great comfort and encouragement.

In a situation where drinking water was heavily contaminated, most NGOs were distributing bottled water in plastic containers. We procured a water purifier that can be maintained permanently without needing filter replacements and delivered it to Venerable Kirisara.

Thanks to this purifier, local residents can now come to the temple to collect water, and they are able to drink safer water.

Whenever we were working in the evening at the accommodation, aftershocks inevitably struck each time. It was a strange sensation we had never experienced before.

Even now, aftershocks continue daily in Mandalay, and many people live in anxiety, fearing that a major earthquake could strike again. Because of this fear, some residents postpone repairing their homes and continue to stay in houses that might collapse at any moment.

The day after the JTS emergency rescue team withdrew, there was a heartbreaking report of a 5.5-magnitude earthquake in Mandalay. JTS plans to carry out a second round of emergency relief activities in early June to support the Myanmar victims still exposed to earthquake risks and secondary damages.