SINGAPORE - The tremors of a catastrophic earthquake were felt far beyond their epicenter when a powerful 7.7-magnitude quake struck Myanmar's Mandalay city on March 28. Mr. Hein Htet Zaw, a 27-year-old residing in Singapore, faced a harrowing three-hour wait to reach his family back home, frantically worried for their safety.

At the bustling Peninsula Plaza, known affectionately as Singapore’s Little Myanmar, Hein's heart raced as he learned of the devastation. "I was terrified that I would lose my family," he confessed to The Straits Times, relieved the news came that they were fortunate enough to be unharmed. However, he couldn't hide the pain in his voice as he described his hometown's destruction, a sentiment shared by many fellow Myanmar nationals in the area.

Ms. Aung, a quality specialist who wished to remain anonymous, expressed her anguish: "In Myanmar, access to basic necessities was already a challenge. Now, with the earthquake, the situation has worsened dramatically. Hospitals are overwhelmed, and rescue teams find it incredibly difficult to reach those in need." The ongoing civil conflict in Myanmar, following the military coup in 2021, complicates the rescue efforts further, making the situation all the more dire.

Although Ms. Aung's family is safe, she feels a profound sorrow for her fellow citizens and is planning to contribute financially toward relief efforts. The earthquake’s impact has been staggering, officially claiming over 1,000 lives and injuring nearly 2,000, with projections suggesting that the death toll could exceed 10,000, a catastrophic blow to a nation struggling under the weight of conflict.

Shockwaves reached neighboring countries - tremors were sensed in Vietnam and as far as China, while Thailand's capital, Bangkok, declared a state of emergency after at least nine fatalities were reported there.

Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, lies perilously close to the epicenter and bore the brunt of the destruction. Ms. Wilt Yee, a 39-year-old cleaner in Singapore, has been tirelessly updating her friends and family on Facebook about the evolving crisis. Her empathy is palpable as she shares: "I plan to donate $1,000 to local monasteries to assist with relief efforts." Generous friends, including a Singaporean, have already contributed $300 to her cause.

Adding to the emotional weight of the aftermath, Ms. Gugue, a caregiver residing in Singapore, recounted the anxious dash her father made to find her mother, who struggles with mobility, amid the chaos in Mandalay. “My parents are now without water and electricity. I desperately wish to be back with them, but I can only rely on sporadic updates,” she lamented.

As Myanmar battles both nature and ongoing civil strife, the resilience and solidarity of Singapore's Myanmar community shines through. Donations and support are mobilizing, providing a glimmer of hope amid the sorrowful turmoil that has gripped their homeland.