The scale of the disaster is enormous, and the need for support is urgent - a call for help for Myanmar

Following a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.7 that struck central Myanmar on March 28, teams from the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) immediately mobilized to assist affected communities. The destruction is immense, and humanitarian needs are growing hour by hour.

In the face of this disaster, MRCS has mobilized hundreds of trained volunteers who are providing urgent assistance. Within hours, the MRCS Crisis Operations Center was activated, and the search and rescue operation began. Volunteers are providing first aid, ensuring pre-hospital care, distributing relief items such as blankets, tarps, and hygiene kits, and sending mobile medical teams to the hardest-hit areas.

Despite the destruction in their own homes and facilities, Red Cross volunteers are acting with courage and determination to help their neighbors. The scale of this disaster is immense, and the need for support is urgent – said Alexander Matheou, IFRC Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific.

MRCS is also providing psychological support and assistance with restoring family links through the "Restoring Family Links" program supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). With rising temperatures and the upcoming monsoon season starting in a few weeks, stabilizing the situation in the affected regions is necessary to prevent an even greater crisis.

To increase support, IFRC is issuing an appeal for assistance of 100 million CHF to help 100,000 people (20,000 households) with urgent aid and recovery support over the next 24 months. Two million CHF has already been allocated from the IFRC Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) for immediate support.

This is not just a disaster, but a complex humanitarian crisis that exacerbates existing problems. Myanmar continues to face internal displacement issues and food insecurity. This earthquake aggravates an already vulnerable situation. The international community must take action to support an effective and long-term response – adds Alexander Matheou.

This initiative represents one of the largest and most urgent humanitarian efforts Myanmar has faced in recent years. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) calls on donors and partners around the world to support the fund to aid the victims of this disaster.

Although the people of Myanmar are showing remarkable resilience, they cannot cope with this crisis alone. With your support, we will not only save lives today but also lay the foundations for rebuilding safer and stronger communities in the future – emphasized Matheou.

The Polish Red Cross, like other Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, works with IFRC and ICRC during humanitarian crises worldwide.

In Poland, we respond immediately, thanks to the support of our donors. You can help too! Support the Relief Fund: