ATJ FOUNDATION

The earthquake, centered near Mandalay and Sagaing, has left a trail of destruction. In Mandalay, the heart of Myanmar’s rich heritage, parts of the Mandalay Palace and the sacred Maha Muni temple have collapsed. In Sagaing, the beloved Ava Bridge has crumbled into the Irrawaddy River, and the ancient monasteries and temples of Ava lie in ruins. The quake’s shallow depth intensified its impact, flattening entire neighborhoods and leaving survivors nowhere to turn. The suffering extends to the countryside. Around Inle Lake, where life is deeply tied to tourism, fishing, and farming, entire villages have been wiped out. Homes built from wood and bamboo stood no chance against the violent tremors and waterlogged soil. With temperatures soaring above 100°F, families struggle to endure without shelter. The damage to pagodas and small businesses has left communities without cultural and economic lifelines. Beyond the immediate destruction, the crisis deepens. Myanmar’s dams are at risk of failing, threatening catastrophic floods. In Yangon, power outages could last for months. In Mandalay and Sagaing, overwhelmed hospitals treat the injured in parking lots, while fires and structural collapses add to the chaos. The response has been slow and strained, and the people of Myanmar desperately need the world’s support.