Heartbreak and Despair: Little Myanmar in Singapore Reacts to Tragic Earthquake in Mandalay

SINGAPORE – On March 28, a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Mandalay, Myanmar, leaving many in Singapore’s vibrant Little Myanmar community in a state of fear and anguish. Among those affected was 27-year-old Hein Htet Zaw, who found himself in Peninsula Plaza, a hub for Myanmar nationals in Singapore, when the tremors hit.

“It took me three excruciating hours to contact my family and confirm they were safe,” he recounted, expressing his relief but also his profound sorrow over the widespread destruction back home. Many in this close-knit community shared similar sentiments of concern, with some fighting back tears as they discussed the disaster.

The earthquake left over 1,600 confirmed dead and injured more than 3,400, with devastating predictions suggesting the count may rise above 10,000 as recovery efforts unfold. Essential infrastructure has been severely damaged, complicating rescue operations in a nation that is already grappling with the impacts of a civil war that began in 2021 following a military coup. The ongoing conflict has left many areas difficult to access, adding urgency to international calls for aid.

A quality specialist, who identified herself as Ms. Aung, shared her worries about her compatriots in Myanmar. “Accessing essential needs has been difficult even before this disaster. Now, with the hospitals overwhelmed and rescue teams facing challenges to arrive, the situation is dire,” she emphasized. Despite her family being unharmed, her heart aches for those less fortunate.

Meanwhile, 39-year-old Wilt Yee, a cleaner in Singapore, has taken to social media to relay updates about the situation in Mandalay. “I feel helpless being so far away. I plan to contribute $1,000 to monasteries for relief efforts,” she said, already having collected $300 from friends, including a generous donation from a Singaporean.

Connections are being forged across borders, with one caregiver recounting her father’s desperate journey back to find her mother, who struggles with mobility issues. “My parents are now facing limited access to water and electricity. I wish I could be there with them,” the caregiver lamented.

The earthquake's shockwaves were felt as far away as Vietnam and China, leading to a state of emergency in Bangkok, Thailand, where at least nine fatalities were reported. As the world watches, the nation of Myanmar and its diaspora are left to grapple with the aftermath of this catastrophic event, demonstrating an unwavering spirit to support one another in times of crisis.

As recovery efforts ramp up, calls for international aid continue to echo, emphasizing the need for assistance as the nation confronts the dual challenges of natural disaster and civil unrest. How the international community responds in the coming days could determine the fate of countless lives caught in this tragic disaster.