A devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on 28 March 2025, leaving a trail of destruction and despair in its wake. The official death toll stands at 2,886, with over 4,639 injured, and these numbers are expected to rise.
Catholic relief teams are racing against time to provide aid, but the military junta is hindering their efforts. “The army isn’t allowing relief teams to operate freely,” a priest from the Diocese of Loikaw in eastern Myanmar revealed, adding that military checkpoints, confiscated supplies, and restricted access to affected areas are major obstacles.
Despite these challenges, the Catholic Church has been at the forefront of relief efforts, with Caritas Myanmar coordinating teams to distribute drinking water, food, and medicine. However, even these efforts are being hampered by the military junta’s control over main roads and checkpoints.
The situation is dire, with people desperate for basic necessities like clean water. The priest noted that “people are desperate… without food, without drinking water, and without shelter”.
The Catholic community in Myanmar is showing remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. As the priest said, “Our faith remains strong. Despite the difficulties, we remain united, praying, and helping one another”.