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March 31, 2025 | 08:45 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar has caused great concern worldwide. The 2021 coup left the country unprepared, which worsened the earthquake's impact. As a result, assistance and rescue efforts for the Myanmar earthquake victims have become difficult.
In addition, the blackout and internet shutdown in several parts of Myanmar have made it difficult to communicate and deliver aid.
As reported by CNN, an unexpected plea from Min Aung Hlaing, the Commander of the Myanmar military junta, has emerged to request assistance. The situation in Myanmar due to the previous junta has already made it a pariah state, one of the poorest countries, and the plea for help indicates the massive scale of destruction caused by the earthquake.
International assistance has faced fear in delivering aid due to concerns about the difficulty in distribution and reaching the victims. In an interview conducted by Vatican News with the Director of Burma Campaign UK, Mark Farmaner, it was mentioned that local churches have been mobilized to provide shelter for the victims.
This is done because other religious buildings, such as mosques, cannot be used as shelters due to the military in power, causing neglect in building maintenance, including mosques. Under these circumstances, Farmaner stated, as quoted from Vatican News, the military does not impose strict restrictions on the movement of local churches, allowing churches to reach areas that may be blocked for international aid agencies.
The United Nations (UN), through the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), has mobilized support in the form of a US$5 million fund to support emergency response efforts. Furthermore, the UN has already gathered US$10 million from various donors through its branch, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
Not only from the UN, the UK government itself has stated on its official website that it promises to send 10 million in aid as a humanitarian response to the natural disaster.
As stated on Gov.uk, they contacted their local partners to provide immediate assistance. It also mentions that all British citizens affected by this disaster will receive continued consular support.
From the continent across the sea, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has announced that they will send US$2 million for the earthquake victims in Myanmar and channel it through the International Red Cross (ICRC).
Based on a report by Al Jazeera, the fund channelled to the ICRC is the initial stage, and further funds will be provided if needed.
However, Penny explained that they will not be providing aid through the Myanmar government, which is already under the control of the military junta.
From Indonesia, President Prabowo Subianto expressed his condolences for the Myanmar earthquake. Amid the country's current situation and absence in giving a statement, he finally appeared and stated that he, as a representative of Indonesia, is ready to send all necessary aid through his official account.
"I would like to express my deepest condolences for the devastating earthquake that has struck Myanmar and Thailand. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of both countries at this difficult time. Indonesia stands ready to provide all necessary support for the rehabilitation efforts in the affected areas," Prabowo wrote.
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