A 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocked Myanmar Friday, March 28, sending buildings tumbling to the ground and people pouring into the streets. More than 2,000 people are confirmed dead, with that count expected to rise; more than 3,900 are injured; and nearly 300 remain missing. In Bangkok, Thailand, which sits hundreds of miles from the epicenter, at least 18 are confirmed dead, mostly from a collapsed building. “The damage is beyond measure,” one local ministry leader in Myanmar reported. “Many thousands are in great need.”

In civil-war-embattled Myanmar, aid organizations already faced operating challenges; now, relief efforts face even more difficulties because of destroyed infrastructure from ongoing fighting. But local ministries are accustomed to facing such challenges and are right now preparing to help all those displaced by the disaster. “The severe earthquake is so vast, churches plan to collaborate in response,” a ministry leader said.

“Many people died or are injured because of the earthquake,” another local ministry leader said. “We expect to assist survivors with those needs and share the love of Christ and comfort them with the Word of God.”

In Myanmar, most of the ministries you support have reported they are safe, though some have suffered minor damage and at least one ministry has been unable to contact one of their church planters and several families. “Praise God, we are safe,” he said. “We pray and hope they are safe.”

“The earthquake is still shaking frequently at 5.6 magnitude,” another local ministry leader said. “We are safe, but we are always alert. For the Christians, the door is open for reaching the victims with the gospel, and it will be a great privilege to spread the Good News to many people. Please pray for Myanmar, and we humbly request you to respond to this disaster.”

You can provide critical emergency aid to earthquake survivors with your gift today. Your support will be sent directly to local ministries that are assisting in affected regions.