The All-Mon Region Ramanya Nikaya Philanthropic Association, led by senior Mon Buddhist monks, delivered donations today to earthquake-affected Mon monasteries in Naypyidaw, Mandalay, and Sagaing Regions to support reconstruction efforts.
According to the group, the powerful earthquake earlier this month caused severe damage to nine Mon Buddhist monasteries, two in Naypyidaw, six in Mandalay, and one nunnery in Sagaing as well as numerous local buildings and religious structures. The affected areas are still in need of significant assistance.
In an effort to expedite reconstruction, the association coordinated with Mon monastic communities across the country to collect donations. Today, they provided a financial donation of 10 million kyats per monastery, along with other necessary relief materials, to one of the damaged monasteries.
“The donations are mainly financial. This isn’t the only monastery we plan to support. We’ve also received reports that around 100 homes belonging to Mon families in Mandalay were affected by the earthquake. So we plan to assist them as well, along with patients who are currently in need of medical care,” a representative of the group stated.
The association also noted on its social media page that travel to the affected areas had been hampered by road damage.
Additionally, the group is continuing to accept donations to support orphaned children, low-income families struggling to rebuild their homes, and individuals who were left disabled by the disaster.
According to figures from the junta-controlled Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, the central region of Myanmar experienced some of the most devastating effects of the earthquake, with over 5,400 pagodas, 4,841 monasteries, and 187 nunneries damaged. A total of 159 monks and 55 nuns reportedly lost their lives.
While providing earthquake relief, the association also announced plans to support ethnic Mon and Karen communities displaced by ongoing conflict, with efforts already underway.
“At the moment, our priority is earthquake relief. But we’re also planning to assist civilians displaced by the conflict. So far, we haven’t received donations specifically for that effort, although some townships have begun collecting independently,” one monk involved in the relief operation said.
Although the junta had issued official statements promising a temporary ceasefire to enable recovery efforts in the aftermath of the disaster, locals reported that during the Thingyan holiday period, the military continued launching airstrikes and artillery attacks even in quake-hit areas causing further suffering to civilians on the ground.
