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For Your Shared Humanity —
We Thank You

Dear Friends,

As the official death toll surpasses 3,000 after the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Burma/Myanmar last Friday, we wanted to share an update with you, our supporters, old and new.

Since we first alerted our entire network of this crisis, you have stepped up in remarkable ways. Our Board member emeritus, Jack Kornfield, forever grounding us in the compassion that underpins Partners Asia, helped spread the word of the vast needs on the ground. As a result, we have received donations from over 450 new supporters.

This has brought the total we have raised to $117,000 in less than a week.

We’ve managed to keep pace with urgent requests for support, already transferring over $62,000 in small grants to our partners for essentials like water, shelter, medical care, and mosquito nets. More is on the way.

Our partners persevere with fierce determination. Rescue efforts continue despite the increasingly tragic reality that in temperatures over 100°F, many people who were trapped in the rubble may not have survived. Even with the junta blocking access and media coverage, stories are coming in about the injustices on the ground. We have been told that excavation equipment is not permitted into many affected areas without military approval. International aid that is channeled through the regime is strictly monitored and controlled, and cargo planes of supplies have reportedly been seen being unloaded by soldiers. There are even reports that the prices of body bags, a grim and heartbreaking necessity, are skyrocketing as some vendors exploit the crisis for financial gain.

On Wednesday night, the junta agreed to a 20-day ceasefire, but by Thursday morning, the military had already carried out heavy airstrikes in Sagaing Region and Kachin State, northern Myanmar. According to locals, junta forces dropped over 100 bombs on at least two towns and two villages in the region. The regime’s record of historically and repeatedly violating ceasefires suggests that the military’s attacks on the country’s own people will tragically continue despite declarations otherwise. We will watch closely, stay in touch with our partners, and continue to ensure that our support reaches those who need it most and is not co-opted or weaponized by the junta. 

All of this is a harsh reminder to be cautious when choosing where to give.

And yet, amid this horrifying backdrop, communities are mobilizing alongside their supporters abroad. Several grassroots online fundraising campaigns have been initiated to provide clean drinking water, food, tarps, blankets, and hygiene products. This spirit of compassion and solidarity is an unmistakable part of Myanmar—if, in the past, you have visited this country, you have likely felt it too.

Shared humanity and love are about holding on to hope and refusing to let darkness take hold. Please stay informed and continue to give what you can to this effort, whether through Partners Asia or other trusted local groups.

Thank you for your unwavering support.