Taiwan Steps Up to Support Myanmar After Devastating Earthquake

The Red Cross Society of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Religious Groups Offer Aid Following Deadly Tremors

Taipei, Taiwan – In a show of solidarity and humanitarianism, the Red Cross Society of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has announced a US$50,000 donation to support Myanmar in the wake of a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck on Friday.

The Taiwan Red Cross stated that the funds will be directed towards supporting emergency aid and rescue efforts spearheaded by its counterpart in Myanmar, as well as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The earthquake, which caused significant damage, has affected Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw, alongside central regions including Mandalay, Sagaing, Magway, Bago and the Northeastern Shan State. The tremor was also felt in China and Thailand, prompting the IFRC to convene an online meeting to coordinate emergency responses.

One of the main concerns is the potential for disease outbreaks in the affected areas, owing to damage to critical infrastructure such as hospitals and water systems. The Myanmar Red Cross estimates that around 50,000 families have been impacted by the disaster and plans to provide emergency assistance and aid with rebuilding efforts for 10,000-20,000 families.

According to the Taiwan Red Cross, the IFRC has launched an appeal to raise 15 million Swiss Francs (approximately US$17.03 million), with a planned allocation of 30% for immediate relief and 70% for reconstruction efforts.

Alongside the Red Cross, other Taiwanese organizations are mobilizing to offer assistance. The Fo Guang Shan Monastery, operating regionally across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and India, has arranged to purchase approximately 140,000 Malaysian ringgit (US$31,553.6) worth of supplies to aid 1,000 families near Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city. Fo Guang Shan headquarters has also allocated US$30,000 for disaster relief, in addition to organizing transportation for search and rescue teams from Taiwan between Yangon and central Myanmar.

The Dharma Drum Mountain, a Taipei-based Buddhist group, has announced plans to dispatch a delegation to the affected regions in Myanmar to assess needs on the ground. They intend to deliver aid and supplies through Taiwanese businesses operating in the country, as well as organize emergency shipments of medical and other essential supplies, following the announcement by China Airlines of free shipment for disaster relief supplies to Thailand and Myanmar.

Official tallies released by the Myanmar government on Sunday reported around 1,700 fatalities, 3,400 injuries, and over 300 individuals missing. These figures are unfortunately expected to rise in the coming weeks.