Earthquake Myanmar

Myanmar

• There have already been more than 1,000 deaths; however, it is feared that the number is even higher.
• Public infrastructure and roads severely damaged
  • The main bridge to Mandalay (Sagaing bridge) collapsed
  • Mandalay airport hit, exact damage still being surveyed
  • Damage to the University of Mandalay
  • Historical heritage was also damaged. A wall of Mandalay's former royal palace collapsed. A tower of the Shwe Sar Yan Pagoda also fell over
• There is damage to the Myanmar Red Cross headquarters in Naypyidaw and the crisis coordination center in Mandalay was also damaged.
• Electricity and communication networks were damaged in the affected regions. In Mandalay, Sagaing, Southern Shan State, there is no Internet and unstable coverage for telephone connections.  
• The hospital in Mandalay has received so many patients that people have to be cared for outside in the parking lot.  

Thailand

• Skyscraper under construction collapsed. 117 workers are missing, eight people lost their lives, nine were injured and 101 are still missing.  
• One person died at another location.
• Hundreds of homes damaged
• Several bridges, buildings and transportation facilities were damaged.
• Local authorities and the government are closely monitoring the situation and all medical services are on standby should aftershocks occur.
• Damage is measured throughout the affected region. 

The Myanmar Red Cross took immediate action in the affected areas. It has more than 6,000 volunteers available across Myanmar. Teams in the affected regions are active on the ground, prioritizing search and rescue, first aid, pyschosocial support and damage assessment. They beg relief supplies, including blankets and hygiene kits, and set up emergency shelters. In addition, several mobile health teams from across the country are also en route to affected regions.  

It further activated its national crisis communication and coordination system (EOC). The branch in Bago also activated its local crisis center. Nine other national Red Cross associations are active in Myanmar.
Many people also lost contact with their loved ones, the Red Cross and the ICRC is helping track these people down and restore contacts using their RFL (restoring family links) network. 

The Thai Red Cross is informing citizens how to protect themselves should there be new aftershocks. Local departments are searching for people in need of food, drink, clothing and distributing emergency relief supplies. In addition, a safe zone has been set up and ambulances, mobile clinics and First Aid teams are ready to help where needed. The Thai Red Cross Hospital (Chulalongkorn Hospital) is temporarily closed for consultations and treatment without admission. Only patients staying at the hospital are being helped at this time. 

The massive earthquake in Myanmar has caused severe damage. Damaged bridges and highways between the capital Yangon and the affected areas hamper relief operations and make it difficult for aid workers to get to the site. In addition, many houses have also been destroyed, forcing people to sleep outside. The country is currently experiencing a heat wave, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. People have insufficient shelter and drinking water, which increases the risk of dehydration. Meanwhile, prices of basic goods are rising, while overcrowded shelters and poor hygiene increase the risk of disease outbreaks.   

Moreover, the monsoon season is also approaching, causing fears of floods, landslides that will only worsen the situation in the affected areas and delay aid.   

Three days after the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, the need remains enormous, search and rescue teams continue to search with all their might for survivors. Heavy damage to roads and bridges complicates relief operations. On top of this, temperatures in some regions are running as high as 42 degrees. Many houses are no longer habitable, forcing people to sleep outside or in tents, without shade or shelter. The quake also hit many water installations, making clean drinking water scarce.    

Red Cross relief workers in Myanmar, many of whom have been affected by the disaster themselves, are making every effort to help as many people as possible. Besides begging for relief supplies, food parcels, mosquito nets, they also provide emergency shelters, temporary water treatment facilities and psychosocial support.  

Financial aid is now the most efficient way to help provide basic needs such as medical care, shelter and food to the affected people. 

Anke, program coordinator at the Red Cross, was featured on VTM news Saturday around the Red Cross' role in Myanmar. The message was clear: Funds are hugely welcome, because the needs are, after all, great. 

Belgian Red Cross-Flanders is immediately releasing €100,000 from its emergency relief fund to support humanitarian aid following the massive earthquake that struck Myanmar. The quake, measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, caused severe damage in Mandalay and Sagaing regions, among others. 

Electricity and communication lines down, roads blocked

The death toll is mounting, with fears of hundreds of casualties. Collapsed bridges, blocked roads and downed power and communications networks make it extremely difficult to get a full picture of the situation.  

Local Red Cross volunteers in action for search and rescue operations

The Myanmar Red Cross has activated its national crisis communication and coordination system (EOC). They have more than 6,000 volunteers, teams in the affected regions are active in the field, prioritizing search and rescue, first aid and damage assessment. Nine other Red Cross national societies are active in Myanmar. "Local teams are doing what they can, despite the unsafe conditions and hard-to-reach areas," said Vincent Verbeecke, spokesman for Belgian Red Cross-Flanders. "The logistical challenges are enormous. It's all hands on deck."

Immediate support

Belgian Red Cross-Flanders is immediately releasing €100,000 to meet the initial needs while seeking support.

"Financial aid is the most efficient way to get help going at this stage of the disaster," Verbeecke said. "The needs are great: medical care, shelter, potable water, psychological support and basic goods. The threat of aftershocks makes the situation even more difficult - both for the affected population and for aid workers."

Donations are welcome to BE53 0000 0000 5353 marked "Earthquake Myanmar."