Fear, grief and overwhelm in Myanmar – FCA launches cash program to earthquake-affected people 

People in Myanmar are searching the rubble for loved ones and spending their nights out amid growing despair and fear of aftershocks, says Lin Min Aung, FCA’s Country Director in Myanmar. FCA is using cash grants to support people’s most urgent needs. 

Finn Church Aid (FCA) will provide critical humanitarian assistance in Myanmar’s east Bago Region and Kayin State. In alignment with the coordinated efforts of humanitarian organisations within the cluster system, FCA will provide life-saving support to around 2,000 earthquake-affected people, focusing on multi-purpose cash assistance.  

50,000 euros from FCA’s disaster fund have been allocated to the work. The needs of survivors are urgent, as many lack access to necessities like shelter, electricity, food, and clean water. 

“Cash assistance is flexible financial support to affected families to address their most urgent needs, such as food, water, medical supplies and shelter. We believe that cash assistance is crucial in this situation, especially when local transportation is difficult due to damaged roads and other obstacles”, says FCA’s Country Director Lin Min Aung. 

One day after the massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake, Myanmar is still grasping the grave destruction. The quake’s epicentre was near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city, and the damage is significant also in Thailand’s capital Bangkok. The death toll is so far over 1,700 deaths and 3,400 injured, but numbers will continue to rise. 

FCA has been operating in Myanmar since 2014, mainly providing humanitarian assistance and support for education. FCA’s staff report that there have been over a hundred aftershocks since Friday, causing ongoing fear of another major earthquake. In some townships in Mandalay, people have spent the entire night outdoors in fear of further earthquakes. People generally describe the current situation as the most devastating earthquake they have ever encountered.  

“Entire religious buildings, hospitals, and residences have been destroyed, particularly in the epicentre and surrounding areas such as the Sagaing, Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, and Taungoo regions. Many people remain trapped under collapsed structures, while locals are urgently working to rescue them. Meanwhile, hospitals are overwhelmed with a large number of injured people”, Lin Min Aung says. 

At this moment, the people of Myanmar are facing overwhelming fear, grief, and uncertainty. The earthquake has left many in shock, with their homes, places of worship and livelihoods destroyed. Lin Min says families are anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones, including family members and relatives, while others are still dealing with the devastating loss of life. The disaster happened at the worst possible time amidst civil war and a situation where the United States has significantly cut its humanitarian assistance. 

“There is a sense of helplessness and sadness as entire communities struggle to rebuild their lives”, he says. 

Edited 30.3.2025 at 18:45: changed to the updated numbers of dead and injured as of the 30th of March..

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