Statement of Support for the People of Myanmar

Statement of Support for the People of Myanmar

The Myanmar Studies Center is deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake that has struck Myanmar. On March, 28, 2025, a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Central Myanmar, with tremors felt as far as Bangkok, Thailand.

This disaster comes at an already dire time for Myanmar. Since the 2021 military coup, the country has spiralled into a civil war between pro-democracy forces, led by the National Unity Government (NUG) in exile, and the military junta, as well as various ethnic groups. The conflict has dismantled public services, making rescue operations nearly impossible. Since the coup, the people of Myanmar have been enduring mass displacement, violent conflict, and economic collapse.

Tragically, even in the midst of this natural disaster, the junta continues to bomb civilian areas and forcibly conscript young men, while the NUG has announced a partial ceasefire to facilitate relief efforts. As of now, the official death toll has surpassed 2,000, and the US Geological Survey warns that it could reach 10,000. Due to severe restrictions on both domestic and foreign media since the coup, reliable information from affected areas remains scarce.

Amid the chaos, survivors face unimaginable hardships: no water, no electricity, and homes reduced to rubble. Despite the absence of state assistance, the people of Myanmar are demonstrating immense resilience and selflessness, tirelessly helping one another in any way they can.

International aid has begun to arrive, with rescue operations and humanitarian assistance from countries including Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, India, China, and Russia. However, the junta’s track record of weaponizing aid and denying assistance to resistance strongholds, such as Central Myanmar, where the earthquake struck, remains a significant concern. The junta has already rejected support from Taiwanese search-and-rescue teams, despite the desperate need for equipment and manpower.

In these devastating circumstances, we stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar. They have faced countless disasters before, both man-made and natural, and have always risen again despite the harshest of circumstances. Our thoughts are with them, and we will continue to support their cause by maintaining our commitment to raising awareness about Myanmar’s struggles.

The words of our previous intern, Yumon Htay, a Mandalay native, are a firm call to action:
"I urge the world to support the people of Myanmar directly or through trusted civil society organizations (CSOs), NOT through the brutal military regime." 

Let's follow her advice and contribute to Myanmar's grassroots organizations so that aid reaches those who need it most. Here’s a vetted (non-exhaustive) list of organizations and GoFundMe campaigns that you can support:

In the Czech Republic:

• Burma Center Prague: https://www.darujme.cz/projekt/575
• UNICEF ČR: https://www.unicef.cz/myanmar-zasahlo-silne-zemetreseni-deti-a-jejich-rodiny-potrebuji-pomoc/
• Člověk v tísni: https://www.clovekvtisni.cz/darujt

International: 

• GoFundMe shared by our former intern and exchange student, Yumon Htay (GB): https://www.gofundme.com/f/h7fg8y-earthquake-relief-for-myanmar-urgent-support-needed/fb/o?attribution_id=sl%3Ac6bd01fa-3cd8-4bc0-b849-163d0c74ee5e&utm_campaign=natman_sharesheet_dash&utm_content=amp14_t1&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link
• Advance Myanmar (GB): https://www.advancemyanmar.org/myanmar-earthquake-appeal/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3qQpin9CdBk75XT1BZLqcQNLbFB77uhgjkZ8vFKgcH7pY0vfGuU6aNcOo_aem_B_fyYq1w0HrPz7Jogpruvw
• U.S. Campaign for Burma (US): https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/us-campaign-for-burma-donation-page?clear_id=true&source=email-aid-appeal-for-earthquake-victims
• BurmaWave & Advance Myanmar (GB): www.gofundme.com/f/earthquake-relief-in-myanmar

Here, you can find a live visual representation of the earthquake death toll: