Following the devastating earthquake in Myanmar earlier last year, GC Aid was able to support local-led relief efforts in some of the most affected regions. This relief project has now concluded, and we are grateful to share a final update on how support was delivered and the impact it has had through trusted local partnerships.
The Impact of the Earthquake
The earthquake’s epicentre was in Sagaing, a region central to Buddhism and home to many of Myanmar’s most significant temples and monasteries. To the south lies Naypyidaw, the capital city and administrative centre of the military government and leadership. Both Sagaing and Naypyidaw were severely affected by the quake.
In Naypyidaw, the presidential palace, war office, and the airport’s air traffic control tower were badly damaged or destroyed. The earthquake occurred the day after Armed Forces Day, a time when public displays and speeches had taken place in the capital.
Delivering Relief in a Complex Environment
Delivering earthquake relief into Myanmar involved several practical and logistical challenges. Transferring funds through formal channels required careful navigation to ensure resources retained their full value, and additional coordination was needed to move support into the areas most affected by the quake. By God’s grace, and through trusted local relationships, these challenges were addressed, allowing relief to reach communities in need in a timely and effective way.
Local Responses Making a Difference
Relief efforts were carried out in partnership with four groups of local believers who were already embedded within affected communities.
One of these groups was a family based in Sagaing. Although they personally escaped harm from the earthquake, they reported that by the following day their entire community had been devastated.
Another response came from a church in Mandalay, which quickly mobilised an earthquake response team to provide practical assistance. A third team, made up of local believers and expatriates based in Yangon, was able to make an extensive journey into the Sagaing region to deliver essential supplies.
The final group was a team of young people who called themselves the Nehemiah Project Team. They made eight separate trips into affected areas, transporting building materials to support rebuilding efforts. Many of these supplies were transported by boat to the Inle Lake region, where the team worked alongside local communities to rebuild damaged homes. Most of the funding for these efforts came through the GC Aid project.
A Project Now Completed
This earthquake relief project has now formally concluded, with the majority of funds distributed to support urgent relief and rebuilding initiatives in affected communities. While the project itself has come to an end, the impact of these efforts continues through the strengthened resilience of local communities and the faithful presence of those serving among them.
Encouragement Amidst Hardship
What was particularly encouraging throughout this project was the way relief efforts were carried out. They were led by enthusiastic local believers who were deeply moved by the suffering around them. With compassion and generosity, they willingly gave their time and energy to ensure that essential supplies reached people in the places where the need was greatest.
We give thanks for the generosity of those who supported this appeal and for the dedication of local partners who made this response possible.
GC Aid is part of the GC3 team which helps people and communities in a time of crisis. We also have ongoing projects which you can learn about by subscribing to our regular email updates here.