The nation of Myanmar is still reeling from the aftermath of a deadly earthquake that rocked the country on 28 March, destroying homes and infrastructure, and displacing and killing thousands caught in the epicenter in central and upper Myanmar.
While almost a month has passed since the disaster, rescue and restoration efforts have shown no signs of abating as members of the global community work to help the struggling nation grapple with the destruction of homes, lack of access to potable water, food shortages, and disruption of vital healthcare services.
As a member church of the Council for World Mission (CWM), the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar (PCM) is hard pressed to provide comfort and care to its affected congregation and surrounding communities while having to manage already strained operational aspects of its ministries disrupted by the sudden earthquake.
“As of 3 April, 2025, 5,313 people have died, while more than 10,000 were injured and another 1,000 individuals remain missing. Approximately 10,197 households were also rendered homeless and about 47,451 are taking refuge in relief camps,” reported Rev. Pek Muan Cuang, General Secretary of PCM.
According to the Myanmar Council of Churches (MCC) which oversees the various Myanmarese churches in the country grouped in regional councils, one of the hardest hit regional councils, the Mandalay Council of Churches, reported that from amongst its 125 churches, a staggering total of 4,400 households have been affected by the earthquake.
As part of the ecumenical community’s commitment to provide relief and support to our brethren in Myanmar, CWM has dispensed a Solidarity and Action Grant to MCC to assist in various recovery works and projects extended to the quake survivors.
In a letter expressing gratitude and appreciation of the grant monies received, MCC reported that the funds will provide essential support such as establishing temporary shelters, distributing dry food and clean water, addressing the specific needs of pregnant women, and providing trauma healing for children.
As aid efforts continue, CWM seeks the collective prayers of our partners for God’s timely intervention and mercy in this difficult season for Myanmar and for PCM to be able to continue its outreach ministries to its local communities.