Taiwan Steps Up: Fundraising and Prayer for Myanmar Earthquake Victims

The Taiwan government launches a comprehensive aid initiative to support Myanmar in the wake of a devastating earthquake.

Taipei, April 9 - In response to the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28th, the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) in Taiwan has announced a comprehensive fundraising campaign and prayer events to aid the survivors.

"While initial rescue operations have concluded [in Myanmar], many survivors are now facing increasingly difficult living conditions," stated OCAC head Hsu Chia-ching (徐佳青) at a press conference in Taipei.

The fundraising drive, active from Tuesday through May 31st, will focus on multiple areas. These include the reconstruction of damaged overseas compatriot schools, assistance for Myanmar students currently studying in Taiwan, and the provision of essential supplies such as drinking water, food, and medical necessities.

Hsu explained that the funds raised will contribute to a five-year plan dedicated to fully rebuilding the 60 affected overseas compatriot schools in Myanmar. Additionally, a portion will support over 3,000 Myanmar students in Taiwan, who are studying at high school level and above.

The Myanmar Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce will manage the procurement and delivery of medical supplies, identified as the most urgent need. Most essential items will be sourced within Myanmar and neighboring countries, with a portion coming from Taiwan, according to Hsu.

Highlighting the severity of the situation, Hsu noted that residents of Mandalay and surrounding areas in Myanmar have lost their means of support and are reliant on external aid. She also pointed out that international assistance has been "far from promising," prompting the call for support from the people of Taiwan.

Meanwhile, Hsu acknowledged the "extreme anxiety" felt by many Myanmar students in Taiwan, whose families back home are struggling to access assistance.

To offer support, the OCAC will organize multifaith prayer events. The first will be held on Friday evening at the University of Taipei, and the second on Saturday afternoon at National Chung Hsing University in Taichung. Wang Yi-ju (王怡如), director-general of the OCAC's Department of Overseas Compatriot Student Affairs, encouraged faculty members and other students to participate in these events.

Representatives from Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam will lead the prayer rituals, aiming to symbolically send "hope, light, and warmth" to those in Myanmar.

The earthquake has resulted in a death toll exceeding 3,600, with the number "still climbing." A United Nations report cited by the Associated Press on Tuesday indicated that over 17.2 million people in affected areas urgently need food, drinking water, healthcare, and emergency shelter.

Donations to the OCAC's fundraising campaign can be made to the "Overseas Compatriot Culture and Education Foundation" (財團法人海華文教基金會) - a nonprofit organization supported by the council - via Cathay United Bank's Guanchian Branch (館前分行) to account number 001-50-169089-5. Donors are asked to include "Myanmar Earthquake Relief Donation" (緬甸震災捐款) in the payment notes and to email their donation receipt along with their name, identification document number, and contact information to occeftw@gmail.com.