CADIS International activates quick reaction response to Myanmar earthquake event

CADIS International, in collaboration with CADIS Thailand, CTF India, St John's Medical College and Missione Calcutta are preparing an emergency response team to assist the survivors of the most devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit Myanmar  on March 28, 2025, with its epicentre in Sagaing, causing a fault of more than 200 km. 

Tremors were felt as far  as Thailand and China, but no major casualties were reported. The priority response is gird to Myanmar. 

To date, the number of casualties reached more than 2,700, and the death toll is expected to rise during the next hours, according to Myanmar’s military ruler, Min Aung Hlaing.

Traumatized survivors slept in the streets near the epicentre in the destroyed cities of Mandalay and Sagaing, while the stench of bodies buried beneath the debris filled the area. There is a shortage of food, medicine, and water, and the monsoon season may arrive in May.

In collaboration with the Church of Myanmar and Caritas Myanmar (Karuna Mission Social Solidarity - KMSS), during a meeting organized by Caritas Asia attended by Fr Rocco Sriprasert, MI, director of CADIS Thailand and Caritas Thailand, an assessment of the situation from the ground was presented. More information are expected within this week, since KMSS team is already at the epicenter and its vicinity:  Mandalay, Sagaing, Naypyidaw, Southern Shan and Bago.
 

KMSS through Fr. Rocco Sriprasert will be CADIS’ link to the ground to start planning the initial intervention. Survivors are in need of temporary shelters, dry food, water and medicines. Moreover, the political situation is challenging for humanitarian organizations to fast track their response.

During an online meeting called by CADIS on April 1, its members from  Thailand, India, and partners - St John's Medical College and Missione Calcutta discussed the possible intervention, establishing local contacts and the fundraising campaign. 

As reported by Fr. Rocco, MI, at the moment, the biggest obstacle is reaching the affected areas. Furthermore, according to the government protocols, foreign volunteers and organizations are not yet getting a green signal to enter the country. However, the Catholic church is facilitating the matter so that help will come easily and be facilitated. CADIS Thailand is at the forefront of preparing possible CADIS intervention. It was also discussed the possibility of establishing a network with the government of Myanmar to mobilize teams for disaster response and collaborating with medical and nursing teams to provide specific medical needs.

While waiting for more concrete information from the ground through our local partners, CADIS fundraising campaign has been launched to support the immediate needs of survivors. We are in constant contact with Caritas Thailand, Myanmar and the local churches for daily updates and will soon start with an emergency intervention.

You can help us organise aid for the earthquake survivors by donating to the CADIS International Emergency Fund: 

To: FONDAZIONE CAMILLIAN DISASTER SERVICE INTERNATIONAL
Cause: Myanmar earthquake
 

CC: INTESA SANPAOLO s.p.a.
IBAN: IT19G0306909606100000144767
Codice BIC/SWIFT: BCITITMMXXX    
or
CC: Banca Popolare di Sondrio
IBAN: IT03 M056 9603 2350 0000 3570 X95
Codice BIC/SWIFT: POSOIT22

You can support us also through Paypal at the following link: 
https://www.cadisinternational.org/come-puoi-aiutarci-dona-ora