ASIA/MYANMAR - Lack of medicine and shelter: The Catholic community launches humanitarian aid and calls for a ceasefire

Mandalay (Agenzia Fides) - "There is a lack of medicine and emergency shelter, as many are injured and thousands are homeless on the streets," reads a statement from Karuna Myanmar (Caritas Burma) sent to Fides. "Local groups, volunteers, and civil society organizations on the ground are working to assess the full extent of the damage and provide initial emergency assistance. The destruction is widespread and the civilian population has been severely affected. The earthquake has caused power outages and disrupted communications. Myanmar's National Disaster Management Committee has declared a state of emergency in many regions. Thousands of people in Mandalay remain on the streets," reads the statement from the Catholic Church's charitable organization, which has activated its network of diocesan offices to monitor the situation and organize humanitarian aid. Numerous buildings, including monasteries, mosques, pagodas, seminaries and churches, schools, hospitals, banks, hotels, airports, residential buildings, bridges, and highways, suffered significant damage. Cities worst affected include Yangon, Mandalay, Naypyidaw, Sagaing, Aungpan, Bago, Kalay, Magway, Kyaukse, Muse, Yinmapin, Taunggyie, and some areas in Shan State. The national Karuna office and diocesan offices have mobilized their volunteer teams to assist the worst-affected Diocese of Mandalay, which has initiated coordination with local authorities, other religious leaders, and local charities. "Under the current conditions, it is difficult to provide an accurate picture with data and figures due to the lack of telecommunications and restricted access to various areas. Karuna volunteer teams are still unable to travel to the affected areas due to disruptions or lack of security," the Mandalay-based relief agency said. Instead, Karuna's national office is coordinating with Caritas Internationalis, UNHCR, OCHA, and other aid organizations to seek channels for humanitarian resources and assistance. In the Mandalay, Magway, Sagaging, Bago, and Shan regions, the death toll from the earthquake that struck the country on March 28 continues to rise: more than 2,000 dead, 3,400 injured, and more than 300 missing have been confirmed, but for organizations involved in humanitarian assistance, the number is sure to rise. Myanmar's ruling military junta has declared a week of national mourning from today, March 31, to April 6. As the civil war continues, the Catholic Church in the country is firmly calling for "an urgent ceasefire to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid," according to an appeal issued by the Bishops' Conference of Myanmar. "This tragic event has further exacerbated the profound multidimensional humanitarian crisis already gripping Myanmar, where, according to UN estimates, nearly 20 million people, including 6.3 million children, are in urgent need of assistance," the Burmese bishops wrote. "The Catholic Church reaffirms its unwavering support for those affected and expresses its condolences to the families who have lost loved ones. We pray especially for those who have died in places of worship, pagodas, and mosques. We are deeply touched by the moving messages we have received from Pope Francis, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, and the Chargé d'Affaires of the Nunciature, Archbishop Andrea Ferrante," the country's bishops wrote. With a view to mobilizing the international community, the bishops assure that "the Catholic Church will participate in the support to help the people with food, medicine, and shelter." They also reiterate: "This humanitarian crisis requires an urgent cessation of hostilities. We urgently call for an immediate and complete ceasefire by all parties involved in the conflict to ensure the safe and unhindered delivery of essential humanitarian aid from local and international donors." (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 31/3/2025)

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civil war

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humanitarian assistance

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