A Community’s Journey Through Devastation and Recovery 

On March 28, 2025, a powerful earthquake shook Myanmar, displacing thousands and reducing homes to rubble. In the aftermath, survivors faced a grim reality: shortages of food, shelter, and security. Among these resilient individuals were people like Yi Nai, a grieving mother who lost her newlywed daughter and son-in-law during the disaster. Her tragic story mirrors the pain etched on the faces of many others. 

“We were celebrating my elder daughter’s wedding just moments before the earth began to tremble,” she recounted with tears in her eyes. Her youngest daughter survived, but the couple’s untimely death has left a void too deep to fill. Volunteers, including Mond-Lant, offered both material aid and emotional support to help Yi Nai honor her daughter’s memory and begin her path to healing. 

Immediate Relief: Supplies for Survival 

In the wake of the disaster, Tzu Chi swiftly addressed urgent needs by delivering critical supplies to hospitals, temples, orphanages, and temporary shelters. With assistance from the Royal Malaysian Air Force, 80 Jing Si multipurpose foldable beds and 690 eco-friendly blankets were flown into Myanmar’s most heavily impacted areas. These life-saving resources provided much-needed relief to thousands of displaced individuals and families. 

A Meal Brings Comfort 

For many survivors, a hot meal symbolized hope. After weeks of surviving on dry rations, the aroma of freshly cooked food wafting through Mandalay brought tears of relief to their eyes. Women from the Ma Soe Yain Monastery in Mandalay joined hands with Tzu Chi volunteers to prepare simple yet nourishing meals of stir-fried peanuts, boiled eggs, and stir-fried bean sprouts. The team distributed 300 lunchboxes on their first day, with plans to expand their efforts to other temporary shelters. 

“It has been so long since we had hot food—it feels like a blessing,” said one resident. While supplies were sparse, these small acts of care uplifted the community. 

Sheltering Through the Storm 

Tzu Chi’s relief efforts extended beyond providing meals. With the rainy season approaching and threatening to worsen living conditions, volunteers initiated the "cash-for-work" relief program, encouraging residents to actively participate in building temporary shelters made from bamboo and canvas. These efforts not only create safe havens for displaced individuals but also foster a sense of ownership and resilience among the survivors. Among the beneficiaries were monks who had been living under trees, now finding solace in the newly constructed shelters. 

Among the survivors was a woman who narrowly escaped with her family, despite suffering a serious arm injury caused by the earthquake. She had spent her entire savings on surgery to save her life. “Our home in Amarapura is no longer habitable, but I’m grateful my sister, her family, and my own husband and children all escaped safely,” she shared. 

A Legacy of Compassion 

This isn’t the first time Tzu Chi has supported Myanmar. Their legacy began in 2008 during Cyclone Nargis, where they overcame numerous challenges to deliver aid. That mission forged a deep connection, now reflected in the trust and gratitude of those they’ve supported over the years. Volunteers like Chi-Hsuan Chang (張濟玄) and Ji-Lang Li (李濟瑯), veterans of the 2008 mission, have brought expertise and dedication to the current operation. 

Together with local communities, Tzu Chi volunteers continue to rebuild lives, showing that compassion knows no borders. While grief remains, survivors draw hope from each meal, blanket, and kind word offered. For Myanmar, recovery may be slow, but resilience glimmers in every small step forward.