On 28 March 2025, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar at approximately 1:10pm local time, its epicentre located 17 kilometres south-east of Mandalay. The Sagaing and Mandalay regions have both been significantly impacted.
Two days later, another 5.1 magnitude earthquake was recorded north-west of Mandalay,
at 3.38pm local time.
The earthquake’s impact has been felt across the region, with tremors felt as far afield as
China, India, Vietnam and Thailand. In Bangkok, nearly 800 kilometres from the epicentre,
high-rise evacuations were carried out after a skyscraper under construction collapsed in
the Chatuchak district.
According to the British Red Cross, thousands have been killed, with countless more injured or missing. Hospitals in Mandalay, Magway, Nay Pyi Taw, and Sagaing were struggling to cope with the influx of injured people.
Rotary partner organisations, Aquabox and Shelterbox both responded immediately to the disaster, and Bolsover Rotary has donated funds to each organisation, to buy a Community Aquabox and a full Shelterbox. Both organisations work with local Rotary contacts in the affected area to ensure that the aid is directed where it is needed. We consider this to be critical as it means that we can be sure that the funds that we send, which have been donated by the community in Bolsover, are dealt with properly and as intended.
At Aquabox, the Derbyshire-based charity which is run by Rotarians, the team responds by sending water filters as soon as they can. Working closely with selected aid agencies and distribution partners, they can make sure aid reaches those in need rapidly.
ShelterBox teams landed in Bangkok from the UK only a few days after the earhquake to begin initial assessments of the situation and to understand the damage and what affected people need, as well as to coordinate with other organisations.
To donate directly to Aquabox go to aquabox.org/help-us/donate. To help Shelterbox, you can go to: shelterbox.org/myanmar-rc
All images courtesy of Aquabox, Shelterbox and Rotary Club of Central Yangon