The faith-based Amity Foundation has arrived in Myranmar to provide aid after a 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck the country on Friday.
According to Xinhua News, a devastating earthquake occurred in Myanmar at 14:20 pm on March 28, with its epicenter at 21.85°N latitude and 95.95°E longitude, at a depth of 30 kilometers. As of 12:00 pm on April 1, the Myanmar State Administration Council reported that the disaster had resulted in 2,719 deaths, 4,521 injuries, and around 441 missing.
Following the earthquake, the Amity Foundation immediately contacted its partners in Myanmar, commissioning them to conduct disaster assessments and evaluate urgent needs, reported the foundation.
On March 30 at 15:30 local time, Cui Yazhou, a staff member of the Amity Foundation, arrived in Myanmar with over 30 rescue team members who had been rapidly mobilized from across the country.
In Yangon, based on initial assessments, foundation staff and rescue workers procured eight generators and emergency lighting equipment. Due to flight cancellations caused by the earthquake, the team was forced to travel by road to Mandalay, one of the affected areas. The journey, which normally takes six to seven hours, was extended to over 10 hours due to difficult road conditions.
Upon arriving in Myanmar on March 30, Cui spoke with Jiangsu TV, highlighting the severe impact of the earthquake in Mandalay. He noted extensive housing collapses and a critical power shortage in the aftermath. "In some areas, electricity is available for only two to three hours a day," he said. As a result, much of the region now relies on generators for power. Amity has allocated part of its generators and emergency lighting equipment to support ongoing rescue efforts, while the remainder is being used to supply electricity to temporary shelters for displaced residents.
Additionally, Mandalay is one of Myanmar's hottest regions, with temperatures expected to rise to around 42°C in the following days. In response, Amity is prioritizing essential needs, focusing on securing a stable drinking water supply and assisting in establishing a local sanitation system.
On April 1, at 12:51:02 local time, Myanmar observed a nationwide minute of silence to honor the victims. That same day, Hubei Provincial CC&TSPM issued a prayer, stating, "Let us pray for our fellow countrymen affected by the disaster in Myanmar, for the rescue workers, and for the enduring friendship between China and Myanmar."
