COVID-19 impact deepens in the slums of Myanmar

For many of our vulnerable brothers and sisters overseas, it's hard to find hope for the near future. Our program partners in countries such as India and Myanmar are bracing for the worst in the next few months, as the impact of COVID-19 infiltrates wider and deeper into their communities.

Here’s an excerpt from an email that Fr Mark Raper SJ, an Australian Jesuit who is the Superior of the Myanmar Jesuit Mission, sent to us recently –

“Dear Friends - COVID-19 and its aftermath will be with us for a long time.

How should Myanmar Jesuit Mission respond as this ongoing pandemic burrows deeper into Myanmar society? For many vulnerable communities in Myanmar, the hunger emergency is, and will be, a greater challenge than the health emergency. Of course our help is a drop in the ocean of need, but the crisis is also revealing considerable generosity and compassion among Myanmar people.

So by joining with local partners, we reach many hundreds of households with practical assistance in their time of need”.

We are constantly inspired by our Jesuit partners’ unwavering efforts in reaching out to communities at risk, despite the challenges they face. And we are incredibly grateful for the kind support of people like you, for making their work possible.

Today, we’d like to share with you recent photos of the Myanmar Jesuits supporting people living in the country’s poorest slums, and distributing essential goods to those most affected.

If you have already donated to our Emergency Action Fund appeal, thank you so much. If you haven’t yet had a chance, you can donate to our Emergency Action Fund here.

Thank you for your ongoing support of Jesuit Mission – it’s thanks to you that our partners like Myanmar Jesuit Mission can work to ease the suffering of our vulnerable brothers and sisters during this pandemic.