The Salvation Army in Myanmar (sometimes known as Burma) is responding with emergency supplies after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit the east of the country on Friday, March 25. Initial reports indicated that the earthquake had caused relatively little damage and that only two people were killed. As more contact is made with the affected area, however, it now appears that at least 70 and perhaps as many as 150 people lost their lives.

Lieut-Colonel Bob Lee, Chief Secretary for The Salvation Army's Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar Territory, says he has received word from the Salvation Army corps (church) in Thachileik, eastern Myanmar, that "there has been widespread damage to homes, property and even infrastructure such as roads."

Salvation Army officers in charge of the work in Thachileik are assessing the situation but Lieut-Colonel Lee reports: "We have not been able to make consistent contact via email or phone."

International Headquarters has made US$5,000 available, which will cover the initial costs of buying bottled drinking water, basic food, sleeping mats and blankets.

A team of cadets and officers from the school for officer training in Yangon is being sent to Thachileik to help with the distribution and to offer spiritual and psychological support. Lieut-Colonel Lee says they "will be a valuable support and encouragement to the officers and also to the community there."