Myanmar’s bishops’ conference appeals for immediate ceasefire, free flow of assistance for quake victims

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar (CBCM) has called for an urgent cessation of hostilities between the forces of the military junta and the guerillas and allowed the free passage of aid for the victims of the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that shook the country on March 28.

In a statement issued on March 29, the head of the conference, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, said there is a pressing need for assistance among the victims, and he added that the situation in Myanmar requires a prompt ceasefire.

“This humanitarian crisis calls for an urgent cessation of hostilities,” the bishops said. "We strongly urge an immediate and complete end to the fighting between all sides so that essential humanitarian aid can be delivered safely and without any problems by supporters from around the world." A ceasefire like this is necessary to help people who have been affected by the earthquake and the ongoing conflict get food, medicine, shelter, and safety right away.

According to the bishops, the United Nations acknowledges Myanmar as the most ravaged country by the earthquake and is mobilizing resources for the victims.

“The world community has shown its solidarity through its concerned response,” the bishops said. “The Catholic Church will mobilize support to assist with the life-saving needs of food, medicine, and shelter.”

The Catholic Church guarantees its “unwavering support” for the earthquake victims,” the bishops said. “We especially pray for those who perished in the places of worship in pagodas and mosques.”

Along with that, the bishops said they were very thankful for the "moving messages" they had received from Pope Francis, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Evangelization Dicastery, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the secretary of state, and Msgr. Andrea Ferrante, Charge d'Affaires of the Vatican Embassy.

The Myanmar-Thailand earthquake claimed the lives of more than 1,700 people and injured more than 3,000 individuals, and dozens are still missing in Myanmar while the country was being devastated by the four-year-old civil war that killed more than 6,000 civilians and displaced well over three million people.

Earthquake victims have congested hospitals in Myanmar. The rubble still trapped the victims. An opposition government in exile in Myanmar said it would order a unilateral ceasefire for two weeks to let humanitarian aid get through. It said this while working with rebels in the country.

However, the military junta still launched airstrikes despite the humanitarian crisis left by the powerful earthquake.

According to the conference, the US Geological Survey has issued a red alert, estimating that the number of deaths could still rise.

“This tragic event has further exacerbated the profound multi-dimensional humanitarian crisis already gripping Myanmar, where, as per the UN estimate, nearly 20 million people, including 6.3 million children, are in dire need of assistance,” the bishop said.

“The Catholic Church in Myanmar, with the prayers and wishes from Pope Francis, joins our country’s men and women in solidarity as they face yet another crisis,” the bishops said in the statement penned by the cardinal.