More than a week after the earthquake, the needs are enormous – FCA expands its aid operation in Myanmar

Finn Church Aid (FCA) has allocated an additional EUR 50,000 from its disaster fund to help earthquake-ravaged Myanmar. A total of 100,000 euros has now been allocated for humanitarian aid, which will help a total of 1,080 families, or approximately 4,200 people. The support will be distributed in the form of emergency cash grants, which will enable families to purchase their own basic necessities.

“IN THE BAGO REGION, together with local volunteers, we have registered the people who will receive FCA emergency cash grants. The distribution of the aid will be carried out this week,” says FCA Myanmar Country Director Lin Min Aung.

This week, the aim is to start cooperation with a local partner organisation in the Sagaing and Mandalay regions and to map the most urgent aid needs in these areas as well.

Mandalay, with a population of 1.2 million, is Myanmar’s second largest city, and was also the epicenter of the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck just over a week ago.

Most devastating earthquake in over a century of recorded history hit Myanmar on Friday March 28th. The consequences are grave. In the week since the natural disaster, more than 3,500 people have been confirmed dead and more than 5 000 injured, 210 people remain missing. According to the UNCHR, the world refugee agency, the earthquake has affected the lives of around 15 million people. Around 1.6 million of them were already internally displaced due to the protracted conflict before this disaster.

Post earthquake rubble.
Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city, is located right at the epicenter of the earthquake that struck on March 28. The damage in the city is enormous. PHOTO: FCA MYANMAR

Lin Min Aung says the situation is extremely difficult, especially in the Mandalay region, where the damage is also the greatest.

“The region has been experiencing heavy rains over the past week, which is making the situation difficult. Many people still need shelter and have nowhere to go.”

FCA and other humanitarian aid organizations are trying to respond to the most urgent needs of people amidst the disaster.

“The areas closest to the epicenter of the earthquake, such as Mandalay, Sagaing and other areas, are experiencing the greatest shortages of food, shelter, clean water and medical assistance,” says Country Director Lin Min Aung.

People camping outdoors in the dark streets of Mandalay Myanmar after earthquake.
Large numbers of people are still sleeping rough and in the streets more than a week after the earthquake in Myanmar. In the devastated city of Mandalay, people are in dire need of shelter, food, clean water and medicine. PHOTO: FCA MYANMAR

The FCA is helping by distributing emergency cash assistance. Cash assistance is crucial in situations where, for example, roads have been so badly damaged that it is difficult to transport aid from elsewhere.

“Fortunately, there have also been signs that markets are recovering in the worst-hit areas. Cash assistance is a flexible financial support for disaster-affected families, so that they can buy the things they need most right now, in a timely manner,” says Lin Min Aung.

Ikali Karvinen, Deputy Executive Director of the FCA, is currently visiting in Myanmar.

“We have been operating in Myanmar for years, providing humanitarian aid to various communities,” Karvinen says.

“Right now, the emergency and needs for help are enormous,” he says.

People sitting outside amidst the rubble left on the streets after earthquake hit Myanmar.
According to the UNCHR, the world refugee agency, the earthquake has affected the lives of approximately 15 million people in Myanmar. PHOTO: FCA MYANMAR

For more information and interview requests: 

Head of Communications, Erik Nyström, erik.nystrom@kua.fi, +358 40 143 4464 

Head of Humanitarian Aid, Jan De Waegemaeker, jan.de.waegemaeker@kua.fi, +358 50 574 0481