Earthquake in Myanmar Deepens Humanitarian Crisis
A devastating earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, compounding an already dire humanitarian crisis. According to Marsha Scipio, director of Baptist World Aid, the quake displaced 8 million more people, adding to the 19 million already uprooted by violence and persecution. The disaster destroyed 15 of 25 Baptist churches in affected cities and left the rest significantly damaged. Many of these churches were housing displaced individuals, including more than 100 people at Kachin Baptist Church in Mandalay. They are now sleeping outdoors after the church’s top floor collapsed.
Churches Respond Amid Destruction and Violence
The earthquake was followed by 11 military airstrikes in vulnerable regions before a temporary ceasefire was declared on April 2. Scipio described the combined effects of natural and human-made disasters as overwhelming. Despite the destruction, churches in the Myanmar Baptist Convention responded by collecting offerings and mobilizing disaster relief teams. The Kachin Baptist Convention has also provided food and emergency medical help to affected communities.
Urgent Needs: Shelter, Food, and Clean Water
Baptist World Aid identified food distribution and temporary shelter as immediate priorities. Scipio announced a funding goal of $625,000 for emergency food kits and $465,000 for shelter packages for 5,000 families. These packages include mats, mosquito nets, cooking utensils, and blankets. In addition, Hungarian Baptist Aid plans to send personnel to support the disaster response on the ground.
Aid Cuts Worsen Global Crises
Scipio warned that a sharp drop in U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funding worsens conditions. For example, a camp on the Myanmar-Thailand border with over 30,000 refugees is struggling. Baptist World Aid has already received over $250,000 in requests for essentials like food and solar-powered water systems.
Global Impacts: Congo and South Sudan Also Hit Hard
Scipio also highlighted crises in other countries. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, 1.2 million people have been displaced in 2024 alone. Baptists there are providing shelter and meals. South Sudan faces similar issues, with USAID cuts expected to affect nearly 8 million people. Loss of funding is forcing NGOs to lay off staff, reduce services, and halt critical programs, leaving vulnerable groups without support.
Baptists Called to “Stand in the Gap”
Both Scipio and BWA General Secretary Elijah Brown urged Baptists worldwide to “Stand in the Gap.” They encouraged churches to collect special offerings to help fill funding gaps left by shrinking government aid. Brown emphasized that churches can’t replace lost aid but cannot ignore the suffering.
Source:
Baptists respond to growing needs in Myanmar
Photo by Yves Alarie on Unsplash
About Post Author
