The ADRA International, the humanitarian organization of the Adventist Church, is responding to the aftermath of a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday, March 28, 2025, at approximately 12:50 local time.

The earthquake’s epicenter was located near the city of Sagaing, in central Myanmar, affecting multiple regions, including Mandalay, Naypitaw, Sagaing, Magway, and Southern Shan.

ADRA’s emergency experts are already on the ground, assessing the extent of the damage, which spans approximately 600 kilometers. Myanmar has declared a state of emergency in six regions affected by the catastrophe.

According to local authorities, the death toll is expected to rise as rescue teams continue to search through the debris. At least 153 people have lost their lives, more than 730 others are injured, and hundreds are still missing. Many of the injured are waiting for treatment in overcrowded hospitals or in public spaces, as several medical facilities have been severely damaged.

This powerful quake, the strongest to strike the region in over 100 years, has displaced countless families, with parents desperately searching for missing children among the wreckage.

Tremors were also felt in neighboring nations, including Thailand, where a building under construction collapsed, killing at least 10 people and burying scores more beneath the rubble.

Following the earthquake and aftershocks, authorities declared the Thai capital an emergency zone, closing schools and evacuating residents from high-rise buildings.

ADRA’s emergency teams are working swiftly to assess the situation and determine the most effective ways to assist those impacted in both Myanmar and Thailand.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and widespread destruction caused by this earthquake," ADRA International's Director of Emergency Management, Mario Oliveira, stated. "Our response teams are closely monitoring the situation and traveling to affected communities to establish the best strategy for our relief operations. We have reports of numerous road closures, as well as collapsed buildings and bridges, which are impeding access to damaged areas and could delay relief efforts. Despite these limitations, ADRA remains dedicated to ensuring that crucial assistance reaches those in greatest need. Please keep Myanmar and other afflicted countries in your thoughts and prayers."

ADRA expects to provide immediate and long-term relief, including emergency food, water, and relief kits, alongside local partners, including the Adventist Church, to address the needs of affected communities.

With over 40 years of experience in Myanmar and Thailand, ADRA has a long history of providing humanitarian support and disaster response during natural disasters. The global humanitarian agency has collaborated with the local Seventh-day Adventist Church and Health Departments in these regions to assist vulnerable communities.

ADRA leaders encourage all to help bring hope and relief to earthquake-affected communities by supporting ADRA’s emergency efforts.

About ADRA International

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency is the international humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church serving more than 120 countries. Its work empowers communities and changes lives around the globe by providing sustainable community development and disaster relief. ADRA’s purpose is to serve humanity so all may live as God intended.

The original article was published on the ADRA International news site.