A 7.7 earthquake struck Myanmar Friday, causing heavy casualties. Overseas Myanmar citizens living in Taiwan rallied together Saturday for a candlelit blessing ceremony, praying for the well-being of their loved ones, and raising funds to help the affected in Myanmar.
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A group gathers closely around a table of candles, arranged in a heart, while attendees hold the national Myanmar flag and pray for the safety of their loved ones in the aftermath of the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Friday.
In the neighborhood of “Little Burma”, in New Taipei’s Zhonghe district, Jen Tzu-wei (任自薇), the secretary-general of the Myanmar Overseas Chinese Association shares the sobering prediction that government is unable to assess the extent of the casualties, and many people remain trapped without means of rescue.
But prayers weren’t the only thing offered. The Association opened a fundraising campaign, which received NT$500,000 just six hours later. As the local Myanmar government resources are limited, all donations will go to help victims, and rescue efforts.
Some more unusual donations seen on social media included excavators for rescue efforts and free lunch boxes. Others used videos and posts to spread information of people still trapped in the rubble, in the hopes that people would see and offer help.
In fact, social media is playing a large part in relief efforts, as local rescue operations use platforms to exchange information for donated items such as free medicine, and contact information for those in need to be able to pick it up.
Friday’s 7.7 earthquake, reported by the Thai Meteorological Department as an 8.2, was one the largest earthquakes in the country's history. With thousands of people injured, and many still missing, many people hope to offer practical help through donations to help those affected.
Amanda Stephens, for Rti News