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Grief and Helplessness Grip Myanmar Diaspora Following Devastating Earthquake
In the aftermath of the powerful earthquake that struck near Mandalay and Sagaing, claiming thousands of lives in Myanmar, the extensive Myanmar diaspora is experiencing profound grief and a sense of helplessness. Ko Naing, a Myanmar national residing in Thailand, vividly recalls his last meeting with his great-uncle in July, at the family home situated along the Irrawaddy River banks.
A Parting Wish Before Disaster
Ko Naing, an advocate for Myanmar’s resistance movement against the military junta, was preparing to depart his homeland at the time. Living in Min Kun, a small locale within the military-controlled Sagaing region, he confided his intentions only to his esteemed great-uncle, affectionately known as Oo Oo (Burmese for ‘uncle’).
“I informed him of my plan to seek refuge in Thailand. He approved of my decision, wishing me well-being and safety,” recounted Ko Naing, a 35-year-old activist for labour rights.
Tragedy Strikes from Afar
Almost a year later, Ko Naing is safe in Thailand. However, tragedy struck his family as his beloved Oo Oo perished in the recent catastrophic earthquake that devastated Sagaing, near Mandalay, the previous Friday. The earthquake has resulted in a staggering death toll, estimated to be at least 2,000 individuals.
“Sleep evades me, and the emotional pain persists,” Ko Naing expressed.
“I don’t regret fleeing the nation, as circumstances compelled me to do so. Yet, a sense of guilt overwhelms me, knowing our people require our presence more than ever. I feel utterly powerless.”
Global Diaspora Grapples with Aftermath
Ko Naing is among millions within Myanmar’s diaspora community worldwide, anxiously observing the unfolding crisis in their homeland following the most intense earthquake to impact the region in a century.
Like Ko Naing, numerous individuals in the diaspora are grappling with survivor’s guilt and a profound sense of helplessness. These emotions are intensified by the barriers preventing their return to assist with rescue operations or to check on loved ones, as they risk political persecution upon reentry.
Thailand: A Haven and Hub for Myanmar Nationals
Thailand serves as the largest host nation for the Myanmar diaspora globally, accommodating approximately 4.3 million Myanmar nationals. Unofficial estimates suggest the actual figure is significantly higher when factoring in undocumented migrants.
Its relative economic prosperity has long attracted individuals from Myanmar, who constitute a substantial portion of Thailand’s migrant workforce. The 2021 military coup and the ensuing civil conflict have further swelled the ranks of this community.
Life and Labor in Thailand
Many Myanmar migrants are employed in Thailand’s construction sector; tragically, numerous individuals among the 400 workers affected by the Bangkok skyscraper collapse during the earthquake are believed to be from Myanmar. Others are crucial to Thailand’s agricultural and seafood industries.
In Samut Sakhon, a bustling fishing port near Bangkok with a significant Myanmar worker population, a typical drizzly Monday morning saw men in traditional Burmese longyi and women adorned with thanaka on their faces congregating in the street market alleys.
Signage promoting affordable SIM card rates for calls to Myanmar was prominent on buildings, alongside shop signs displayed in both Thai and Burmese languages.
“Online videos depict buildings crumbling and individuals buried under debris. Our inability to intervene is deeply distressing,” conveyed Yin Yin, a 30-year-old factory employee, echoing the concerns shared by many in the gathering.
Thant Zin, a 28-year-old shopkeeper originally from a Sagaing town spared from the earthquake’s direct impact, lamented the devastation of ancient pagodas and temples in the affected zones. “This is truly catastrophic! I am deeply saddened… We have never witnessed such extensive destruction.”
Personal Loss Amidst National Tragedy
Across town, Ko Naing was in his office, relentlessly seeking updates regarding his family in Myanmar. He has at least 150 relatives residing in and around Sagaing and Mandalay.
The earthquake’s magnitude on Friday was so immense it was perceptible in Thailand, India, and China. On that day, as Ko Naing rested in his Samut Sakhon residence, hundreds of kilometers from the epicenter, he felt his room tremble for approximately half a minute.
He immediately consulted social media platforms and learned that the earthquake’s origin was near Min Kun. Subsequently, he encountered an image of Sagaing’s Ava Bridge – a prominent local landmark – reduced to ruins and submerged in the Irrawaddy River. “I was overwhelmed with shock and grief, having numerous relatives in that vicinity. Initially, I questioned the authenticity, suspecting ‘fake news’. However, the grim reality soon became undeniable.”
Delayed Communication, Confirmed Loss
Due to communication disruptions in Myanmar immediately following the earthquake, Ko Naing could only connect with his relatives the subsequent day, Saturday. He was informed that nearly all were safe, with the exception of a distant great-aunt in Mandalay and his cherished Oo Oo.
Just a week prior, Min Kun and its environs had endured shelling by the military, targeting People’s Defence Forces resistance groups. Almost all of Ko Naing’s family members in the town had fled to Sagaing city or a military-controlled sector in Mandalay.
Oo Oo, however, declined to relocate and instead sought refuge in the village monastery, believing it would be spared from military attacks on religious sites.
Tragically, the monastery crumbled completely during Friday’s earthquake. Oo Oo’s body was recovered from the rubble on Monday.
Remembering Oo Oo: A Source of Strength
Ko Naing fondly remembers Oo Oo as an enlightened and vocal 60-year-old. In a region heavily influenced by the military, they forged a strong bond through their shared support for the resistance, particularly after the coup d’état.
During summer months, they would spend afternoons by the river, sharing meals and discussing current affairs. Lacking a phone or social media access, Oo Oo relied on Ko Naing for updates on the civil unrest. “I acted as his personal news source,” he humorously recalled.
Oo Oo had retired from his boatman profession following a stroke that resulted in partial paralysis. Nevertheless, each morning, he would diligently make his way to the family’s tea shop to prepare ee kyar kwe, traditional fried doughsticks.
“He was my inspiration, especially during challenging periods… he was my confidant. I inherited my resilience from him,” Ko Naing reflected.
Escape and Resilience in Exile
This resilience was crucial when Ko Naing undertook a perilous escape from Myanmar with his wife and five-year-old son. He was wanted by the military, who had issued an arrest warrant for his involvement in peaceful demonstrations.
His family journeyed to the border and illegally crossed into Thailand. In the darkness, while evading a Thai border police station, they tripped over a large pipe and fell. His son landed on his head. Ko Naing feared the worst.
Relief washed over him as his son cried out loudly. Ko Naing quickly covered his son’s mouth, lifted him, and sprinted towards a people smuggler waiting with a motorcycle. They initially reached Mae Sot, a Thai town, before eventually arriving in Samut Sakhon, where they secured legal residency in Thailand.
Depression Amidst Safety
Despite finding safety and stable employment, Ko Naing confessed, “Truthfully, I am deeply depressed currently.”
“First, we faced the pandemic, then the coup, followed by the military’s violence against dissidents. Countless individuals have been displaced.”
“Now, the earthquake has compounded the suffering. Tragically, even after the earthquake, military bombardments persist in certain areas.”
“I constantly contemplate the good we could do, the aid we could provide if we were there… living here and witnessing the news from my homeland is deeply disheartening.”
Mobilizing Aid from Afar
Ko Naing is actively collaborating with the Myanmar diaspora community to gather donations and dispatch humanitarian assistance to earthquake victims in Myanmar. They are also providing support to Myanmar construction workers affected by the Bangkok building collapse.
“If we succumb to persistent depression, we cannot effectively assist our people… We must recognize our fortunate survival. We retain the capacity to act.”
“We must resolve to rebuild and determine our path forward.”