Earthquake Thailand/Myanmar: Emergency aid is underway – Team from Germany on its way to Myanmar
Cologne/Yangon. A Malteser International emergency relief team will travel from Germany to Yangon, Myanmar, on Saturday evening to support local teams in the affected areas. Initial emergency relief efforts have already begun: "Our medical personnel, experts in water, sanitation, and hygiene, and trained volunteers are already deployed to assess needs and coordinate initial relief efforts. Medicines and medical supplies are urgently needed," reports Oliver Hochedez, Head of Malteser International's Emergency Relief Department.
The extent of the devastating earthquake on Friday afternoon (local time) is only gradually becoming apparent in Myanmar: According to the military government, the death toll has risen to more than 1.000. Experts believe the figure is significantly higher. The damage is immense and, according to estimates, could exceed the value of the country's entire economic output.
In Myanmar, Malteser International works in Yangon and Shan State. They support people in the areas of health, water, hygiene, and sanitation. Even before the earthquake, almost 20 million people in Thailand's neighboring country were dependent on humanitarian aid due to multiple crises. Malteser International has been working in Thailand since 1979 and in Myanmar since 1996. In Thailand, the organization provides health care for refugees on the border with Myanmar.
The Malteser International urgently appeals for donations for the people in Myanmar and Thailand:
Maltese Relief Service e. V.
IBAN: DE10 3706 0120 1201 2000 12
Keyword: “Thailand/Myanmar earthquake”
Online: www.malteser.de
Malteser International (MI) operates as an international humanitarian aid organization. It is a relief agency of the Catholic Order of Malta and specifically fulfills the Order's mandate of "Aid to the Needy." Its mission is to improve the health and living conditions of people in need and displaced persons worldwide. The organization provides assistance to people in need through over 140 projects in 37 countries, regardless of religion, political conviction, origin, or gender. Christian values and the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence form the basis of its work. Further information: www.malteser-international.org
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