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Following the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, Catholic Aid Agency CAFOD is responding through the local Catholic Church to support families affected by the disaster. Funds raised will support CAFOD’s Catholic Church partners in Myanmar to deliver the water, food, solar lights, mosquito nets and water purification tablets that are urgently needed for families affected by the earthquake. In the longer term, the charity aims to help communities rebuild their lives, when the situation allows.

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar, spoke to Vatican News on 28 March, after witnessing the earthquake while in a vehicle on the road near the capital, Nay Pyi Taw. He said:

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“We are deeply touched by the promise of support by the Catholic Church everywhere. The people need food, shelter, medicine, and all life-saving materials.”

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Cardinal Bo went on to highlight that the “Church’s personnel and religious groups would be the best channel to bring assistance” to those in need.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) launched an appeal on Thursday 3 April - CAFOD is an active member of the DEC.  

People in Myanmar were already facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with more than 19 million people – over a third of the population – already in need of day-to-day assistance. CAFOD have been providing support to communities in Myanmar, including the region at the epicentre of the earthquake for many, many years. While the full scale of the earthquake’s impact will take time to emerge, the charity know that this disaster has further strained resources and exacerbated existing hardships.

As Cardinal Bo expressed:

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“more than anything, our people need peace, not the churning anxiety triggered by the multidimensional crisis. I have appealed to all concerned for urgent humanitarian support and unimpeded access to the affected people. I have made an earnest appeal for the ceasefire by all the groups in hostilities.”

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A representative from CAFOD said:

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“We are encouraging the Catholic community in parishes to donate directly to CAFOD, so we can prioritise support through our Church partners with collections for the people of Myanmar at Masses this coming Sunday, 6 April, or at a time which does not clash with other commitments and collections.

“Thank you for your prayers for our sisters and brothers in Myanmar. We pray for those who have died, for healing for the injured and for comfort for those who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods. We pray especially for our Church partners as they reach out to those affected by this disaster."

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Thank you, as ever, for your support for CAFOD this Lent.

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You can give to CAFOD’s Myanmar Earthquake Appeal online, by calling T: 0303 303 3030, or by text message: to donate £10 text EARTHQUAKE to 70450.