A rescuer carries equipment as a team searches through the rubble of a destroyed building in Myanmar(Photo: AFP)
Geneva: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched an urgent appeal for over $100 million to assist the victims of the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday. The 7.7-magnitude quake, centred near the central city of Mandalay, caused widespread destruction, and the situation is worsening by the hour.
In a statement released on Sunday, the IFRC, the world’s largest humanitarian network, announced an emergency appeal for 100 million Swiss francs (approximately $115 million). The funds will provide life-saving relief and early recovery support to 100,000 people (20,000 households) over the next 24 months.
"The need for assistance is growing rapidly as the situation deteriorates," said the IFRC, adding that rising temperatures and the looming monsoon season only increase the urgency of stabilising the affected communities before secondary crises emerge.
"This is not just a disaster; it is a complex humanitarian crisis layered over existing vulnerabilities," said Alexander Matheou, the IFRC’s Asia Pacific Regional Director. "Myanmar continues to face internal displacement and food insecurity, and this earthquake has exacerbated an already fragile situation. The global community must step forward to support a bold and sustained response."
The Myanmar Red Cross Society has already mobilised trained volunteers to assist with the response. These volunteers have been involved in search and rescue operations, administering first aid, providing pre-hospital care, distributing emergency supplies such as blankets, tarpaulins, and hygiene kits, and deploying mobile health teams to affected areas.
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