The military junta’s airstrikes continue in Myanmar while people are trying to rebuild their lives after the 7.7 magnitude earthquake shook the nation, destroying people and their livelihoods.
According to the local news outlet, The Irrawaddy, the junta bombed the Southern Chin State and the Sagaing Division on Wednesday, 9 April, killing more than 20 civilians.
It is reported that a family of six members, including children, was completely wiped out in this attack. Around 50 others, both elderly and children, were wounded in the junta’s aerial strikes.
Daisy Htun*, our Open Doors partner shares, “A local believer informed that a Christian pastor and two elderly people were among the deceased. The bombing also destroyed a church and several homes in a village of Chin State.”
Targeting innocent civilians and aggravating the suffering of the already oppressed is a blatant violation of human rights. The unending attacks are devastating families and disrupting communities. They are also hindering access to essential services like healthcare and education, making the people more vulnerable, with no relief even in the aftermath of an earthquake.
Very Hard to Reach the Christians in Need
After almost eleven days of the devastating earthquake, Myanmar is still reeling under its effects, with no signs of life returning to normalcy. The destruction caused by the earthquake has left many people homeless, injured, and bereaved. The lack of basic necessities such as food, water, and medical supplies has made the situation even worse.
Meanwhile, The Guardian also reports the Military junta as blocking aid in fear that the aid might be utilised by the People’s Defence Forces (PDF) in the earthquake hit areas where the public are in need.
Our local partner, Ming Naing says, “We can’t say for sure if the military is blocking aid, but they have been announcing all aid should go through them. There are some Christians whom we have heard are able to bring aid, but there were also several who were stopped by the military for reasons unclear to us now.”
According to local news, “Junta’s second in command, Soe Win, on Saturday said quake relief teams are not permitted to operate independently in Myanmar but need prior authorisation, which will only be granted if they cooperate with the authorities. Speaking at a regime meeting, he also warned regional and state chief ministers not to permit aid teams and NGOs to enter their respective areas unless they collaborate with local aid and relief teams. Soe Win said emergency teams from 26 countries are working alongside relief groups from Myanmar.”
Local Partners Share Their Reality
Our locals partners say the situation on the ground is making it extremely hard to reach out to the affected believers with relief.
A local believer, Mary*, shares, “Now, all the relief agencies must ask official letters from the state government, which is very difficult. From Yangon to Mandalay, all the relief vehicles are being questioned and detained. It is very hard to reach the Christians in need.”
Media reports another difficulty, unseasonal rains, in some parts of the country are complicating relief efforts. With rain, there is also a risk of diseases spreading rampantly as many homeless people are taking shelter in tents.
The earthquake has damaged many roads and passages which is another challenge to the local partners in transporting relief materials to the most affected.
Irrespective of the existing life-threatening situations like spread of diseases, badly damaged infrastructure in the country, etc., our partners are committed and will find a way to reach the affected with the necessary aid and prayers.
Lin*, a pregnant Christian woman, experienced mental stress because of the earthquake which made her physically unwell. She and her husband, Pastor Noah*, were worried about the baby. Lin expresses her gratitude for the prayers. “I am encouraged by your visit and prayers. The doctor told me that my child is safe; thank you so much.” Lin and Pastor Noah were the participants of the Family & Marriage enrichment training held a few months ago.
Please continue praying for Myanmar.
According to the latest figures from the BBC News, the death toll from Myanmar earthquake has risen to 3,085 people , and the number of injured has surpassed 4,715.
Many countries—including China, India, Russia, South Korea, the United States, and various international organisations from different countries, have made rescue efforts in the earthquake-affected areas. However, people are in desperate need of relief and assistance across the 47 affected townships while several still remain trapped under debris.
Despite the current situation in the country, the military continues to launch attacks on affected areas in Magwe Division. It has rejected the unilateral ceasefire proposed by the shadow National Unity Government. Airstrikes continue in Chin State, and reports have emerged the military even fired at a Chinese convoy delivering aid for earthquake victims.
Amid the rising death toll, the military has announced that it will proceed with the Thingyan festival from 13 April to 16 April 2025, though without the usual singing and dancing.
Survivors Face Unbearable Living Conditions
According to local partners, people in the affected areas are suffering from diarrhoea and shortness of breath. Many water sources have been damaged, making clean drinking water unavailable. Locals and social workers report high levels of anxiety, mood swings, and insomnia due to the trauma after the earthquake and ongoing aftershocks.
In addition, reports have surfaced of police and pro-armed groups forcibly seizing the relief supplies intended for earthquake victims in Sagaing. This has further heightened fear and paranoia among the populations, many of whom are already struggling with mental distress and trauma.
Our local partner, Min Naing*, shares, “We are able to give aid like rice, drinking water, and mosquito nets to 80 families in need. We will distribute solar lamps shorty, once they arrive.”
Another local partner, Zaw Lin*, says, “In some areas there is phone network coverage, while in others, there is none. Even people living in the same city are unable to connect with or check on the well-being of kith and kin in other localities. People can be seen clearing rubble from the streets and doing their best to cope with the damage.”
He continues, “I visited our volunteer Bro. Aung* and his family. They were very happy to see us and thanked us for our visit. They were actively helping their church members with restoration work.”
Zaw Lin also visited another partner’s church in Central Myanmar. The building’s wreckage damaged a neighbour’s roof. The church leaders and pastor’s family are now concerned about repairing both their church and their neighbour’s property. The church will need to be checked by engineers to assess its structural safety for future use.
“We also visited Mrs. Aye*, another partner. Their church is old and developed cracks because of the earthquake, so they evacuated and set up a shed where believers could gather for fellowship.”
Mrs. Aye shares, “There are people helping us with food, so we’re not worried about meals. But I am concerned about the livelihoods of our church members, as many businesses and workplaces have shut down due to the earthquake.”
Zaw Lin adds, “There are many who are staying by the roadside without proper shelter. This is a major concern because if it rains, waterborne diseases could spread due to the lack of proper toilets and access clean water.
“In some places, the smell of rotting flesh is unbearable. Many damaged buildings and debris remain on the ground, with dead bodies still buried and trapped underneath. There are very few rescuers available, despite the overwhelming need.”
Pray for Myanmar
- Pray for the people of Myanmar who have been deeply affected by the earthquake. May they find comfort, strength, and the help they need to rebuild their lives.
- Pray for the military authorities to support the distribution of aid instead of creating obstacles in the process.
- Pray the bombings and gunfire will cease so peace may be restored in the affected communities, allowing people to rebuild their lives safely.
- Pray for the health of believers, as diseases have already begun to spread due to decomposing bodies trapped beneath the rubble. The situation may worsen as rainfall is expected this month in some areas of Myanmar.
- Pray for wisdom and discernment for church leaders as they cope with damage to their churches and seek ways to support their affected church members.
- Pray the local partners remain strong and in good health, as they make extra efforts to provide aid and help those in need.
- Pray for the people who have lost their houses, especially as many areas will soon experience rainfall, which could further complicate their situation.
- Pray for the safety of local volunteers and partners, as they travel to deliver relief and extend support to the affected communities.
Stay updated with the latest prayer requests from the persecuted church.
*Names changed for security purposes.
