On Friday, March 28, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, devastating an already tumultuous region where 1.6 million people are displaced by an ongoing civil war. The death toll has exceeded 3,500, with bombings and military attacks threatening rescue and recovery efforts. The following ministries have boots on the ground in Myanmar—either through local partners or by sending teams—and are providing relief to quake victims.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
Teams from Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) and local Church of the Nazarene congregations in Myanmar are providing relief care to communities impacted by the earthquake. They are “conducting trauma debrief sessions, translating materials for local use, installing water filters in key areas, and distributing relief goods.” NCM is one of MinistryWatch’s Shining Lights, with 5 stars, an “A” transparency grade, and a donor confidence score of 100—the highest scores in each of our three ratings.
Partners Relief & Development
Partners Relief & Development
Over the weekend, a team from Partners Relief delivered rice, eggs, and drinking water to people affected by the quake. They also delivered supplies to people living near Inle Lake in Shan State, where 2,700 homes had collapsed, according to Mindy Belz of Globe Trot. Altogether, one week after the earthquake, the ministry had helped 2,421 victims. Partners Relief has 2 stars and an “A” transparency grade in the MinistryWatch database, and a donor confidence score of 77.
Water Mission
Water Mission
According to an April 8 update from Water Mission, its team is working to install two safe water systems—one in Mandalay at a local humanitarian organization’s main office, and one in a monastery located between a slum and a community, where the need for safe water is critical. Its team is also passing out hygiene kits with items like soap, toothbrushes/toothpaste, diapers, and sanitary pads. Water Mission has 3 stars and an “A” transparency grade in the MinistryWatch database, and a donor confidence score of 100.
Samaritan’s Purse
Samaritan’s Purse
On Monday (April 7), doctors and nurses with Samaritan’s Purse began performing life-saving surgeries for quake victims. Teams are also in process of building the ministry’s Emergency Field Hospital with an ICU, emergency room, lab and operating theaters. Over the weekend, Samaritan’s Purse also deployed a cargo plane carrying 104 tons of relief supplies, including water filtration systems, emergency shelter materials, solar lights and hygiene kits. Samaritan’s Purse has two stars and an “A” transparency grade in the MinistryWatch database, and a donor confidence of 56 (“Exercise Caution”).
Free Burma Rangers
Free Burma Rangers
Free Burma Rangers was already on the ground providing emergency medical help when the earthquake hit Myanmar. Since then, they have continued to train frontline medics and provide support for surgical teams despite the constant threat of airstrikes in Karenni State. “We have two kinds of devastation, one natural and one unnatural and completely manmade,” Free Burma Rangers head David Eubank told reporters, according to Belz. Free Burma Rangers has 5 stars and an “A” transparency grade in the MinistryWatch database, and a donor confidence score of 95.
World Relief
World Relief
World Relief is responding to the devastation in Myanmar through partners with long-standing roots in the area. As of last week, World Relief was still assessing needs, which they said include emergency shelter, food and clean water, medical aid, and trauma counseling. They were preparing to provide food and clean water. World Relief has 4 stars and an “A” transparency grade in the MinistryWatch database, and a donor confidence score of 95.
Edited to add Water Mission’s disaster relief efforts in Myanmar.
Access to MinistryWatch content is free. However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts. To make a donation, click here.