Nearly 3,000 are feared dead

UK charities have called into action the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to help the thousands of people injured and displaced as a result of last week's powerful earthquake which struck Myanmar.

Fifteen UK aid agencies, including the British Red Cross, Oxfam and Save the Children, are asking the British public for donations before the monsoon season arrives in two months.

More than 2,800 people have died and more than 4,500 have been injured, according to the leaders of Myanmar's military government, with figures expected to rise.

The charities say shelter, medicine, food, water and cash support is "urgently needed".

Countless roads and buildings across the country have been destroyed, including schools, hospitals, water supplies and other vital infrastructure. Network and power lines are down, and people are cut off from essential services. 1.2 million people have been displaced from their homes.  

Local responders have been searching through the rubble for survivors since the 7.7 magnitude earthquake – the most powerful in the country for decades - struck last Friday (28 March). DEC charities and their local partners are already working in Myanmar to support search and rescue efforts, and provide emergency shelter, food, water, medical care and basic supplies.

Broadcast appeal films to raise funds to support DEC charities’ response will air on the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky later today (3 April) following the evening news. BBC and commercial radio appeals will also be broadcast throughout the day.

Every pound donated by the British public will be matched by the UK Government through its UK Aid Match scheme, up to the value of £5 million.

Even before the earthquake, Myanmar was already facing a severe humanitarian crisis which had left a third of the population in need of humanitarian support.

Now, the situation is catastrophic, and needs are continuing to skyrocket. Millions of people have been affected, with many left without access to safe shelter, food, clean water and medical care. In the worst impacted areas near Myanmar’s second largest city Mandalay, families are sleeping outside in fear of further aftershocks, and the death toll is expected to continue to rise over the coming days.  

Saleh Saeed, DEC chief executive, said: “The devastation in Myanmar is heartbreaking, with thousands of people suddenly losing loved ones in the most shocking of ways.  

“Myanmar was already in the grip of a severe humanitarian crisis. Now, the situation is ever more critical, with many impacted by this earthquake unable to access shelter, clean water and medical care.  

“Funds are urgently needed to help families access life-saving humanitarian aid following this catastrophe. DEC member charities are responding right now in Myanmar and can reach more people with your help.  

“We know that money is tight for many people here in the UK as the cost-of-living crisis continues, but if you can, please do donate to support the hundreds of thousands of people, children and families caught up in this deadly disaster.”

Arif Noor, country director of CARE International in Myanmar, said: “Our emergency relief teams are witnessing complete devastation everywhere we go. People traumatised by the earthquake are sleeping on the streets, with no clean water or food to eat and nowhere to escape from the heat. They simply don’t know where to turn or where to find safety.  

“This catastrophe has brought already vulnerable communities to their knees. To meet this level of need will require a sustained and large-scale humanitarian effort. We call on the international community to step forward to support people in Myanmar. They cannot afford to wait.”

Rajan Khosla, Country Director, Oxfam in Myanmar said immediate needs are overwhelming.

"People are in desperate need of food, clean water, shelter and medical care. Many families have lost everything.  

“Despite the challenges, aid is making its way to the people who need it the most. We are working closely with our partners to provide timely and effective aid.  We urgently need more resources to scale up our response to provide immediate life-saving support and to help people rebuild their lives.”

UK minister for development, Baroness Chapman, pledged financial support.

She stated: "The UK government is proud to support the Disasters Emergency Committee’s efforts to do more for people in desperate need in Myanmar. We will match public donations pound-for-pound up to £5 million, meaning your support will go even further.    

“UK support is already reaching hardest hit areas, supplying emergency items, including food, water and shelter.   

“For people already enduring so much turmoil, this crisis has only brought more suffering and urgent need to Myanmar.”    

The DEC’s 15 member charities are: Action Against Hunger, ActionAid UK, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide UK, International Rescue Committee UK, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Oxfam GB, Plan International UK, Save the Children UK, Tearfund and World Vision UK.    

All of the DEC’s 15 members are either responding or planning to respond in Myanmar and will receive funds from this appeal.