Myanmar Earthquake: Appeal for Donations
— For Direct and Reliable Aid That Bypasses the Military Junta —

On the afternoon of March 28, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit near Mandalay in central Myanmar. Called “the largest in a century,” the quake caused major destruction in Mandalay, the Sagaing Region, and nearby areas.

As of March 30, the military junta reported 1,700 deaths. However, this number likely reflects only casualties in areas under their control. The epicenter was in Sagaing, which is mostly governed by pro-democracy resistance forces, so the actual toll is believed to be much higher.

Urgent humanitarian aid is needed. Since the military coup in 2021, Myanmar has faced civil war and political repression, making aid efforts extremely difficult. The military has a history of blocking humanitarian aid, as seen during Cyclones Nargis (2008) and Mocha (2023), when international groups were prevented from reaching those in need. UN aid supplies have even been found in military compounds, raising concerns about misuse.

In reality, the junta controls less than 20% of Myanmar—mainly in cities like Naypyidaw, Yangon, and Mandalay. Most of the population lives in areas governed by democratic forces or ethnic resistance groups.

To truly reach those most in need, aid must bypass the military and go directly to civil society and trusted local networks. We are based in Mae Sot, on the Thai-Myanmar border, and work closely with local relief groups and journalists to deliver effective support to affected areas. We support local relief efforts based on the following principles:

Our Earthquake Relief Principles:

1. Fund civil society and pro-democracy groups, bypassing the military. *

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2. Coordinate with local journalists and aid workers to assess needs and impact.

3. Monitor affected areas and share updates regularly.

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We'll be sharing details about our partners and how the funds are being used on our website and social media. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at: docuathan@gmail.com.

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* Update on Policy ①: While we initially focused on supporting areas under pro-democracy control, we’ve shifted to prioritize direct support to grassroots civil society groups, regardless of region. Our core principle remains: no aid through the military junta.