Christine Stride is Executive Assistant to the Baptist National Leader and works at the Baptist National Support Centre in Auckland. She is a member of Titirangi Baptist Church in Auckland.
The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) seeks your prayers and financial support as it helps coordinate disaster relief efforts in Myanmar following the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck on 28 March.
The earthquake and its subsequent 6.6-magnitude aftershock have resulted in a significant death toll with reports indicating over 3,000 deaths, more than 4,000 injured, and hundreds still missing.
The BWA is partnering with local Burmese Baptist leaders, including the Myanmar Baptist Convention (MBC), one of the largest Christian organisations in Myanmar, and the MBC Disaster Management Committee to help coordinate disaster response efforts.
The BWA asks for your prayers and support for its work in a region already struggling with a weakened infrastructure and civil conflict.
- Pray for wisdom and safety of MBC leaders as they seek to coordinate response efforts.
- Pray for rescue efforts and for those who are still missing to be found.
- Pray for access to life-saving humanitarian relief – including food, water, and shelter supplies.
- Pray for affected children and their protection.
- Pray for restoration of services like electricity, water, and communication.
- Pray for Asia Pacific Baptist Federation leadership as they come alongside leaders in the region to provide pastoral care and support.
Immediate response actions needed:
- Food and Water Supply: Distribution of food and water to affected populations, prioritising immediate needs in isolated or damaged areas through the active local churches.
- Medical Aid: Setting up medical camps in affected regions to treat the injured. Providing medical supplies, including first aid kits and medications.
- Shelter and Evacuation: Providing temporary shelter for those whose homes are damaged or destroyed in community centres, schools, or tents.
Click here to donate to the relief fund
Image: baptistworld.org AFP/Getty Images
