A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand, resulting in a rising death toll and numerous injuries. The local Burmese community in the Bay Area, including individuals like Myatkaung Khant and Aung Zin, expressed shock and concern for their families. Communication lines are down, exacerbating anxiety as the country's ongoing challenges, including floods and civil unrest, compound the disaster's impact. Desmond Tan initiated a GoFundMe to provide immediate assistance, with plans to match donations, underscoring the Burmese cultural value of unity in times of hardship.
"I couldn't even sleep. Yesterday I was trying to contact my family and my friends who live there." - Myatkaung Khant, expressing the distress felt by individuals with loved ones in Myanmar.
"All the phone lines are cut off. That's what I heard. There's no internet so far because it's caused by the damage." - Aung Zin, highlighting the communication difficulties after the earthquake.
"Our country is suffering a lot. We had floods last year, that was really bad... And now it's this." - Aung Zin, commenting on the series of challenges facing Myanmar.
"I think Burmese people would really appreciate all the help we can get right now." - Myatkaung Khant, emphasizing the need for community support during the disaster.
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