CWM Appeal for Support of Myanmar Churches
09 April 2025
Letter of Appeal to Support the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar (PCM) to Provide Relief to Those Affected by the Earthquake in Myanmar
Rev. Dr Jooseop Keum, CWM General Secretary, writes ...
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
Warmest greetings from the Council for World Mission.
I write to you with a deep sense of urgency and compassion as Myanmar reels from the devastation of a catastrophic earthquake that struck central Myanmar near Mandalay on 28 March 2025. The powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake has caused immense destruction, claiming the lives of over 2,700 individuals and leaving thousands injured, some still under the rubble. Critical infrastructure, including homes, hospitals, schools, and places of worship, has been severely damaged, forcing many into an unimaginable state of despair.
Adding to this devastation, the people of Myanmar are already enduring immense suffering under the ongoing military dictatorship. The earthquake has further compounded their struggles, making access to emergency relief, medical aid, and shelter even more challenging. Many are left homeless, traumatised, and struggling to survive amidst the aftershocks, food scarcity, and disrupted communication networks.
Despite not being directly affected, the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar (PCM) recognises the urgent need to respond to the suffering of our fellow citizens. In an emergency, PCM held its Assembly Executive meeting on 2 April 2025 and resolved to take immediate and long-term actions to provide relief and recovery assistance. The plans include:
- Allocating ten million kyats as emergency aid to the victims in Sagaing and Mandalay city, in collaboration with registered humanitarian organisations, Chin Pawlpi and Mizo Thalai Pawl.
- Opening the PCM Center in Mandalay to shelter displaced people, providing water pumping machines and toiletries to ensure their basic needs are met.
- Seeking financial support from ecumenical and partner churches and organisations to resource PCM Center buildings and sustain relief efforts.
In this time of pain and suffering, we call upon all CWM member churches to join hands with PCM in providing immediate relief support. Your generous contributions—whether financial donations or essential supplies—will make a crucial difference in providing relief to the affected communities and rebuilding their lives.
Those who wish to offer support can do so directly through PCM. However, CWM will assist those churches who wish to send contributions but face difficulties. Every act of solidarity strengthens the mission of Christ’s love and justice in such a time of immense need as this.
We express our heartfelt gratitude for your prayers and generous support. May God bless you abundantly as we work together to bring hope and healing to the people of Myanmar.
