By Charles Cardinal Bo SDB

Catholic Archbishop's House, Yangon, Myanmar, 3 October 2020 -- Dear Friends, Benefactors and Well-wishers,

I am sending this brief report of Myanmar Church’s response to the ravages of COVID.

COVID has thrown a challenge to humanity. As the Pope constantly reminds us ‘we are all together in this.’ We are grateful to the global solidarity emerging among people of the world. COVID was merciful to us till August second week, with just 400 cases and 10 deaths.

From August 16, Myanmar has been gripped by a virulent surge of the virus. The country is desperately trying to flatten the spread. As of today, the virus is on an exponential spread with 15,000 people infected and around 400 dead. The country's health system is overwhelmed.

During these challenges, Myanmar church has balanced safety with solidarity. In the first phase from March to August, the church responded with the following programs benefitting thousands :

1. Preventive sensitization in the vulnerable areas, the supply of PPEs
2. Food delivery to the starving population, support to most vulnerable groups
3. The offer of our Major Seminary as the quarantine centre
4. Advocacy for non-discrimination in service delivery, the ceasefire in conflict areas.

1. . Food security to the most affected, starting with the 1000 families for three months
2. Motivating Christian community to support the poor feeding to at least 50 families in each parish
3. Continued preventive support – sensitization and supply of preventive pieces of equipment
4. Offering church facilities for quarantine set up – seminaries, if needed even churches
5. Collaborating with the government in reaching out to the vulnerable communities
6. National and global contingency fund raising.
7. Continued Advocacy for peace, integrated approach among various stakeholders.
8. Establishing the online pastoral presence and online Counseling Centre

With Assurance of our Prayers,

In Fellowship,

+ Charles Cardinal Bo,

Archbishop of Yangon, Myanmar.

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