Sagaing, the city of myanmar epicenter of the earthquake last Friday is conscious twice. A deaf roar, the land that trembles, the buildings that crumble like sand. In a few moments it has become a pile of rubble. The 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit the country has left a trail of destruction, but for the population already tested for four years of civil war, the natural catastrophe is only yet another open wound. Here, where the rebellious resistance opposes the military regime, the aid are slow to arrive, stuck in government control places. The first rescuers arrived only on Monday at the behest of the Golder Board who took power by laying the democratic government in February 2021. While Naypyidaw and Mandalay receive first aid, Sagaing awaits, forgotten by the military junta that hinders access.
Help us not to die
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Yangon’s archbishop, launched a desperate cry to stop the clashes between the Golder military and the opposition forces, through Vatican News: «I did A sincere appeal for a ceased fire by all groups. Our people need help, without obstacles ». His words echo in the deafening silence left by the earthquake, while the telephone lines remain mute and the images of the devastation begin to spread. Among the first to tell the horror there are the missionaries of the missionary ancelle of the SS.mo Sacramento. «We had a very strong earthquake. The church has collapsed. After so many months of work to restore it, now there is no longer, “says Sister Pansy in a message interrupted by fear and uncertainty.
A homeless people, without food, without a future
For four years the civil war has forced thousands of people to flee. Sister Rosanna Favero tells of a forced exodus: “In November 2023, our convent and the school that welcomed over 70 girls were bombarded. We had to abandon everything, flee to the mountains, look for refuge in the refugee camps. The war closed schools, interrupted medical care, private the people of freedom and security ». Now, the earthquake has inflicted an even harder blow. “Where will we find rice, water, basic necessities, now that the roads are destroyed, the collapsed bridges and rice deposits reduced to rubble »? Sister Pansy is still wondering. The most urgent need remains the food: “The few resources available will be like drops of water in a thirsty soil”.
The obstinate resistance of hope
Yet even among the rubble, hope does not go out. The missionaries did not give up: they continued to educate children in the fields, to distribute food, to cultivate vegetables and breed animals to ensure survival. “We have started crops of peanuts, corn and mushrooms, but the earthquake destroyed everything.” Yet, we continue to fight: “We want to start again, create schools, teach a job to women, give young people an opportunity ». Even without electricity and water, as Sister Emi Soe says from Nyaung Shwe: «Let’s go get water from the well of the neighbors, but they told us that it will not last long. Also for this we rely on the Lord ».
When will the spotlight goes out?
Today the whole world speaks of Myanmar. But tomorrow? When the earthquake no longer news, the Burmese people will continue to suffer, crushed by a silent war and the lack of political will to help the weakest. “We only had that place to pray».
“Now we have also lost that,” said some ledgers of Howan on the border with Thailand – also severely affected by the earthquake with the counting of the deaths constantly increasing -, in front of the destroyed church. But their faith does not go out. Their voice asks not to be forgotten. Hope, among the rubble, still resists.
