Alert note: Earthquake in Myanmar

Myanmar Action Group Denmark, International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs and Danish Baptist Chiurch (in partnership with Myanmar Baptist Convention) have submitted an alert due to the earthquake in Myanmar.

On the 28th March, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake and a 6.4-magnitude aftershock hit central Myanmar. More aftershocks were registered in the following days. As of April 1st the death toll in Myanmar stood at over 3034, 3517 reported injured and 479 missing. Protracted conflict has also contributed to a breakdown in communication from groups inside the country, therefore the genuine death toll is likely to increase drastically.

Extensive damage across Burma is being reported; several mosques in Sagaing, Mandalay, and Phyu have collapsed, trapping people inside. 15 church buildings collapsed, 10 are partly damaged. The main roads (highways) and railways are damaged; the electrical posts, overhead wires, and transformers collapsed; the fiber cables and internet service centers are damaged; the cellular towers and transmission services collapsed; meaning that communication is very limited. The underground water sources are contaminated, leaving millions without access to drinking water.

Millions of people are in urgent need of help, requiring support in the form of search and rescue teams; emergency medical care; safe shelter for families left homeless; clean water, food, and basic sanitation; and restoration of lifesaving essential services.