Hands on the Ground
In times of crisis, speed can mean the difference between life and death, but in Myanmar, humanitarian response is not just about logistics, it’s about navigating restrictions. After the recent earthquake in Sagaing, bigger organizations faced delays and challenges leaving communities stranded.
It was the grassroots groups, ordinary people with extraordinary courage, who stepped in first.
Through your support, our trusted partner enabled the Myanmar Rescue Federation (Monywa) to move fast, reaching Sagaing even before many large relief agencies could get permission to act. Their volunteers, equipped with donated rescue gear and safety supplies, worked in hazardous conditions to locate survivors, retrieve those who were lost, and provide dignity to families.
Their speed was lifesaving. In a situation where official response was delayed, community-led action became the only option. Later, the team partnered with international responders at Myat Private School, where they continued coordinated search and rescue efforts. This collaboration ensured that no one was left behind during those critical days.
Your donations helped restore safety and dignity to affected communities. Survivors were provided with temporary shelters and a sense of security while longer-term recovery efforts began.
One of the most inspiring outcomes was the reconstruction of a temporary learning shelter in Wetlet Township, thanks to the Centre for Ah Nyar Studies and our local partners. Built with local materials and furnished with basic school furniture, this shelter allowed children to return to class almost immediately after the disaster. For many, it became a safe haven, a place to learn, play, and begin to heal from the trauma.
These stories remind us that speed saves lives, and that recovery is about more than rebuilding structures. It is about restoring hope, dignity, and a sense of normalcy.
To everyone who made these efforts possible: thank you. Your compassion turned tragedy into action, helping an entire community take its first steps toward healing.
