On Friday, March 28, a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Mandalay, Myanmar — Myanmar’s second-largest city — with the devastation spreading throughout Thailand, all the way to Bangkok.
At the time of publication, the Associated Press reported that the deadly impacts from the earthquake had killed 144 people and injured 730 more.
“We fear it may be weeks before we understand the full extent of destruction caused by this earthquake,” Mohammed Riyas, the International Rescue Committee’s Myanmar director, said in a statement.
As first responders continue their rescue efforts, here are the people and organizations that are helping Myanmar and Thailand at this critical time — and how you can support them.
How to help victims of the Myanmar-Thailand earthquake
Donate
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross does more than provide emergency medical care. The nonprofit also provides shelter, food, clothing, toiletry items, clean-up items, and mental health support to natural disaster victims.
Myanmar Red Cross Society’s program coordinator Marie Manrique told the Anadolu Agency on March 28: “We are very concerned about the potential humanitarian impact, and really, it's a developing emergency, and our priority is to ensure that affected communities receive the help that they need as quickly as possible.”
World Central Kitchen
World Central Kitchen is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization that provides food relief in areas impacted by natural disasters and humanitarian crises.
On March 28, the organization said in a statement: “WCK’s Relief Team is en route to Southeast Asia, where a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand. The quake caused massive destruction to buildings, infrastructure, and communities, and local authorities remain concerned about aftershocks and resulting tsunamis. This is a quickly evolving situation—we’ll share more information as soon as we have it.”
→ Donate to World Central Kitchen
UN Refugee Agency
The UN Refugee Agency is a humanitarian organization that already has boots on the ground in Myanmar, aiding those who have been displaced from their homes due to political violence. They have local resources and temporary shelters available to help people newly affected by the earthquakes.
In a statement, the UN Refugee Agency wrote: “UNHCR’s emergency teams are working around the clock to provide life-saving assistance and to protect those forced to flee their homes. Working together with our partners and local communities, we are distributing core relief items like mosquito nets, soap and sleeping mats [and] providing critical shelter materials such as tents, tarpaulins and bamboo poles to give people a safe place to sleep.”
→ Donate to the UN Refugee Agency
Project HOPE
Project HOPE is a humanitarian and global health organization that aims to address both urgent and long-term needs in times of crisis, including primary and mental health, shelter, water, sanitation, and hygiene.
In a statement, Project HOPE’s director of Emergency Preparedness and Response, Arlan Fuller, shared: “This is a historic earthquake in a country that has long had a history of adversity – where millions were already displaced and tens of millions were already in need of humanitarian aid – making the consequences of this disaster even more catastrophic. Project HOPE was built for these moments, and we are working to get a team on the ground as soon as possible to begin to assess the greatest health and humanitarian needs for impacted communities.”
Donate blood
Donating blood is vital, especially in the event of mass tragedies.
Use the American Red Cross site to find your local blood services location.
Note: While increased donations after a tragedy are helpful, the most effective way to ensure a stable blood supply is through regular, voluntary donations.
Stay informed
As recovery and rebuilding efforts continue, stay up-to-date by following reliable news sources.
- Reuters: an international news outlet that provides breaking news.
- The Associated Press: an outlet that prides itself in “independent, fact-based journalism.”
- Myanmar Now: a local outlet that provides news from Myanmar in both Burmese and English.
Use your platform
Share helpful guides on how to help — like this article! — on social media to keep followers and friends informed. Good Good Good will continue adding resources as they become available.
Use your voice
Contact your representatives to push for federal aid to support recovery efforts in Myanmar and Thailand. Apps like “5 Calls: Contact Your Congress” and “Democracy.io” connect users to their House, Senate, and local reps in seconds and provide pre-written scripts that make it easier than ever to hold your representatives accountable.
