FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 28, 2025
- ShelterBox Canada is launching an emergency fundraising appeal.
- We are responding to the earthquake that has hit Myanmar and Thailand.
- We are sending a team to Bangkok this weekend to join coordination efforts to better
understand needs in Myanmar, the extent of destruction, what people need, and where it
is needed most. - Being in Bangkok, and coordinating with authorities and others in the sector, will help us
understand how we can best support displaced populations. - We will likely focus our efforts on Myanmar because of the huge humanitarian crisis they
were already facing before the earthquake.
A powerful earthquake has struck Myanmar with tremors felt as far away as Thailand (1000km
away from the epicentre) and China. It was followed minutes later by a strong aftershock.
We are gathering as much information as we can, while preparing to respond. As time passes and
we get more information, we will better understand the extent of the damage. Much of the
information we are getting is from Bangkok, though we are also anticipating significant damage
closer to the epicentre and to at least two major cities in Myanmar.
Often, communication networks are affected, making it harder to understand the scale of the
damage and coordinate a response. However, a rare request has been made for international
humanitarian aid by Myanmar’s de facto authorities who have declared a state of emergency
across six regions. Thai authorities have also declared a state of emergency for Bangkok where
earthquakes are rare, and buildings aren’t built to withstand such shocks.
Pre-existing issues like conflict can make responding to an earthquake much more challenging.
There are already 3.5 million internally displaced people living in Myanmar due to conflict.
We have responded in both Myanmar and Thailand before.
About ShelterBox Canada:
ShelterBox provides shelter, essential items, and technical assistance to help some of the world’s
most vulnerable people recover and rebuild their homes after disaster. ShelterBox is currently
responding in Gaza, Mozambique, Bangladesh, Malawi, Chad, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Burkina
Faso, Cameroon, Somalia, and the Philippines.
ShelterBox’s aid items include multiple shelter items and tents, as well as solar lanterns, warm
clothing and blankets, water filters and carriers, tools, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, cash assistance,
and more. Aid is customized for each response because every community has unique needs.
The charity has been Rotary International’s project partner in disaster relief since 2012.
ShelterBox has supported more than 3 million people since it was founded in 2000 and was
nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 and 2019 for its work in conflict zones. ShelterBox
Canada is based near Toronto, ON.
For interviews, please contact:
Vicki Raw, Acting Executive Director
[email protected]
647-352-1930