Myanmar: A Country Shaken; Two Networks Responding.

On March 28, 2025, a devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck the Sagaing Region of Myanmar near Mandalay—the strongest earthquake in the country in a century. As of April 2025, Myanmar continues to reel from the destruction caused by this disaster.

The earthquake has led to hundreds of casualties, widespread damage to homes, schools, and religious sites, and the displacement of thousands of families. Rural communities in the Magway and Mandalay regions have been hit hardest, and many are now isolated due to destroyed infrastructure and inaccessible roads.

Emergency Response and Humanitarian Needs

In response, the Myanmar government and local authorities initiated emergency measures, including search and rescue efforts, establishing temporary shelters, and providing medical aid. International humanitarian organisations—including the Red Cross, UN agencies, and NGOs like World Vision—are distributing critical supplies such as food, clean water, hygiene kits, and blankets.

However, access remains difficult in many regions due to ongoing conflict and poor logistics infrastructure. More assistance is urgently needed, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.

From the Grassroots

One local agency that is responding to the crisis is the Full Moon Family Foundation (FMFF), which was established in 1996.  FMFF also leads the Children’s Development Network Myanmar (CDNM), which became a Viva partner network in 2020.

As an NGO and Network, it promotes collaboration and programme implementation with children’s home groups, local organisations, churches, and government offices. As a network, CDNM mainly focuses on child protection programmes, youth advocacy, and awareness activities, and, like some other Viva-supported networks, has been running Learning Spaces providing informal education and holistic care to children out of school. While initially focusing on serving children orphaned by conflicts, the organisation currently cares for children from various states and divisions, aiming not just for survival but also instilling resilience and hope.

All photos are from CDNM.

CDNM and FMFF have developed many trusted partnerships with different communities in Myanmar, enabling them to collaborate with diverse actors, grassroots organisations, and churches nationwide. This is particularly important in the current season, as Myanmar's ongoing conflict makes relief and development efforts even more complex. CDNM is therefore perfectly placed to bring much-needed support to people in devastated communities. Ni Sat, the leader of CDNM, gave an update to Viva about the earthquake, shortly after it happened:

“My family and fellow friends are safe in Christ. But much of our background ministry, colleagues and friends now have no place to sleep and are in urgent need of food supplies and safety equipment. We are still worried about some of our project areas and villages because we have not been able to make contact yet.

Our team is also suffering without electricity and water in the summer heat. The earthquake has left many without access to basic necessities. Our FMFF team is preparing to respond to this crisis soon. We truly welcome any helping hands during this difficult time. Thank God my phone still has connection—most of our house members’ phones do not.”

Since that time, they have set in place a relief response initiative, including:

1.       Emergency Medical Materials

2.      Food and Water

3.      Essential Family Relief Package Supplies

• Blankets to provide warmth and protection at night, especially for children, the elderly, and individuals sleeping outdoors with no access to proper shelter.

• Mosquito nets to shield families from mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.

• Sleeping mats to provide a clean and comfortable surface for rest.

• Basic hygiene kits (soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste and sanitary pads). 

• Flashlights and batteries for safety at night.

The progress so far in reaching out was shared in a recent CNDM newsletter: “Through God’s grace and your support, we’ve reached over 1,100 households across Naypyidaw, Mandalay, Sagaing, and Bago—delivering food, clean water, shelter, hygiene kits, and spiritual care. Yet, the earthquake is only part of a deeper crisis. With many youth leaving the country, economic struggles, and prolonged conflict, Myanmar is aching for peace. And in this time, God is still moving.” Even before the earthquakes, nearly half of the schools in Myanmar were closed due to internal conflict. Now, over 200 more are gone. In the future, the Learning Spaces programme could become more important than ever in helping children access a safe space to learn. You can read the full newsletter here, which also provides an update on some of the other excellent network activities being carried out.

Network to Network Solidarity: From the Philippines to Myanmar

Network to Network

It was extremely encouraging for Viva to hear that Fe from the Philippines Children’s Network (PCMN) reached out to Ni Sat, expressing heartbreak over the suffering in Myanmar. She offered to initiate a Myanmar Emergency Relief Fundraising Campaign through their social media platforms and partner networks in the Philippines.

Ni Sat was deeply moved by the gesture, seeing it as a testament to the strength and connection between global networks.

Global network of networks

Part of Viva’s focus going forward is on creating and supporting a ‘global network of networks’ by building synergies between networks. This is an incredible example of this in action, as one Asian-based network deciding to raise funds and support for another - despite having its own needs and challenges - shows how much each sees the value in the other.

Join us in prayer

Please continue to pray for Myanmar. Pray for comfort and healing for the injured and the suffering, particularly vulnerable children, the elderly, and the displaced. Ask God to provide resources, capacity, and funding for emergency relief efforts. Pray for strength for those on the frontlines bringing hope and aid to communities in desperate need, particularly the team from CDNM/FFFM.

Join us in giving

If you would like to give financially to help children and families who need assistance via the Viva website, please click here. All donations will be sent on to the network.