A Myanmar woman living in Northern Ireland is preparing to take on a ten kilometre challenge to raise funds for those impacted by the earthquake that has devastated her home country.
Ei Mon Thant, our former Community Liaison Officer, will run the distance around Belfast’s Ormeau Park on April 12.
Any money raised will go to the Red Cross which is assisting the people of Myanmar in the wake of the March 28 earthquake which has so far claimed the lives of over 3,300 people.
“It has been very hard watching what is happening back home,” said Ms Thant.
“A few of us are very lucky in that our families are okay. But so many others are not.”
According to official figures from the United Nations there are still 341 people missing in the worst hit regions of Mandalay and Sagaing, with a further 4,700 injured.
The quake has only heaped further hardship on an already deeply troubled country.
More than 3.5 million people were internally displaced as a result of a military coup in 2021, many of whom continue to experience a lack of shelter as well as shortages of food and safe water.
The latest disaster also comes at a time when many are struggling to recover from September’s catastrophic flooding which left hundreds of people dead and forced thousands of families from their homes.
And temperatures in Myanmar continue to soar above 40 degrees Celsius, making the latest rescue effort even tougher.
“This really is a humanitarian disaster on a massive scale, the extent of which has yet to fully emerge,” said Ei Mon Thant.
“There has been severe damage right across my country and its neighbours with thousands of buildings razed, roads destroyed and bridges collapsed.”
Almost two weeks on from the earthquake and those on the ground are reporting horrific scenes, including dead bodies under the rubble with no way of retrieving them.
Ms Thant added, “People are absolutely traumatised, many of them now sleeping on the side of the roads because their homes were flattened and their worldly belongings destroyed.
“Being so far away, it is very difficult to watch. But I wanted to do something and that is why I have decided to do this 10km run on April 12.
“I have set up a JustGiving Fund Page with all donations going to the people on the ground through the Red Cross.
“Every penny donated will be gratefully accepted,” she added.
You can donate here: Ei Mon Thant is fundraising for The British Red Cross Society