The international relief organization has staff on the ground in Myanmar and Thailand and is preparing rapid deployment of life-saving medical care

BOONE, N.C., March 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Samaritan's Purse is responding to the deadly 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand on March 28. It was followed just 12 minutes later by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock. This powerful quake has caused widespread destruction across both countries—collapsing buildings and infrastructure, killing more than 1,700 people, and injuring countless more. Search and rescue efforts are still underway, and the death toll is expected to climb. The Ministry of Health in Myanmar has requested assistance as tens of thousands are suffering.

In response, the international relief organization immediately mobilized a Disaster Assistance Response Team, including deploying team members from its Vietnam and Cambodian field offices and beginning preparations to send an Emergency Field Hospital to provide life-saving care. The Emergency Field Hospital will include two operating theatres, an emergency room, in-patient wards, a pharmacy, and a laboratory—the largest model of this scalable unit. 

The Samaritan's Purse DC-8 combi-jet departs Greensboro, North Carolina, for Myanmar tomorrow. It will be fully-loaded in Calgary with an Emergency Field Hospital from our Canadian office. In addition to airlifting the first wave of the field hospital, the DC-8 will also transport 28 disaster response specialists, including doctors and nurses.

"This devastating earthquake has rocked Myanmar and Thailand, killing at least 1,700 people and leaving entire communities in ruins," said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse. "Now, families are grieving the loss of loved ones and many are left with nothing— sleeping outside in the elements as aftershocks continue. Samaritan's Purse is responding in Jesus' Name to bring relief to those who are hurting. Please pray for all those affected and for our teams as they serve."

In the coming days, Samaritan's Purse will also airlift additional components of the large-scale field hospital, water filtration systems, emergency shelter material, flashlights, and hygiene kits. The organization is working closely with local authorities and trusted church partners on the ground to coordinate relief efforts.

Samaritan's Purse has a long history in Myanmar, having responded to Cyclone Nargis in 2008 and maintained a country office there from 2017 to 2022. Through its Operation Christmas Child program, the organization has continued serving children and families in Myanmar—sending more than 22,000 shoebox gifts last year alone.

Based in Boone, North Carolina, Samaritan's Purse responds to the physical and spiritual needs of individuals in crisis situations in Jesus' Name—especially in locations where few others are working. Led by President and CEO Franklin Graham, Samaritan's Purse works in more than 100 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine and persecution. For more information, visit SamaritansPurse.org.

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SOURCE Samaritan's Purse