Two months have passed since the devastating earthquake that hit central Myanmar on March 28. To date, more than 3,700 people have been confirmed dead, more than 5,017 injured, and more than 160 people still missing.

After coordinating with relevant organizations including the international organization Connecting Business Initiative (CBi), the Turkish NGO GEA departed Turkey on March 29 and traveled to the capital, Naypyidaw. GEA began search-and-rescue (SAR) operations on April 1.

GEA Team Conducting Search and Rescue Operations ©︎GEA

On April 1, the GEA SAR team found and safely rescued a survivor. Miraculously, another survivor was rescued the following day. Both were rescued by employees of the Aye Chan Thar Hotel. 121 hours had passed since the earthquake, going beyond the “72-hour wall” – the time when the number of survivors is said to decrease rapidly – but the survivor was safely rescued from the rubble in stable condition.

GEA Team ©︎GEA

In addition to SAR operations, A-PAD and GEA also focused on training and psychological care. On April 3, they conducted a training session and practical training for the Myanmar Fire Department on the theme of “Living with Earthquakes.” On April 4, GEA visited the evacuation camp site and distributed relief supplies. To ease the anxiety and fear caused by the earthquake, they organized games and activities for children.

On April 5, GEA traveled from Naypyidaw to Yangon to report on the earthquake relief activities at a meeting with the Turkish ambassador to Myanmar. On April 6, structural experts from GEA and members of ICOMOS-ICORP participated in a special session held in Yangon and shared their valuable knowledge on emergency assistance for cultural heritage affected by earthquakes.

GEA Team distributing hygiene kits ©︎GEA

The government of Sri Lanka, one of the A-PAD member countries, dispatched three military teams to Myanmar, including rescue, relief, and medical units. Commissioned by the Disaster Management Center (DMC), A-PAD Sri Lanka procured medical supplies to support the medical teams. Hemas Pharmaceuticals donated a large amount of medicines. Furthermore, by quickly coordinating with suppliers, A-PAD Sri Lanka was able to procure twice the amount of supplies that was initially requested.

A-PAD will continue to work to provide disaster support in Myanmar.