31.03.2025 (12:01 PM) Htate See

Cardinal Charles Bo, president of the Myanmar Catholic Bishops’ Conference, called on March 29 for an immediate nationwide ceasefire by all armed groups amid the urgent need for relief aid following the earthquake.

The 7.0-magnitude earthquake on March 28 left many dead and injured, and the US Geological Survey said the death toll was likely to rise. The disaster has worsened an already dire humanitarian situation in Myanmar, which is already in dire need of humanitarian assistance, Cardinal Charles Bo said.

The United Nations has designated Myanmar as the most affected country by the earthquake and is working to provide emergency aid to the most affected areas. The international community has expressed its concern and stands united in solidarity with the people of Myanmar. The Catholic Church is also providing urgently needed food, medicine, He said that plans are being made to provide temporary shelters.

He stressed the urgent need for a cessation of hostilities at a time when relief aid is urgently needed, and called on all armed groups involved in the internal conflict to immediately cease fire nationwide to allow for the rapid delivery of emergency aid from both inside and outside the country.

Only with such a ceasefire can emergency medicine, food, and temporary shelter supplies be delivered quickly and without disruption, and not only the people affected by the earthquake but also those suffering from the aftereffects be protected as soon as possible, Cardinal Charles Bo said.