INTERNATIONAL SERVICES ACTIVITY UPDATE

Millions of people in countries across the globe are experiencing devastating disasters that have taken their homes, their livelihoods, and tragically for some, their loved ones. This International Services Activity Update provides a brief snapshot of significant international disasters that the luckywin is currently monitoring or responding to.

 Beginning on March 28, 2025, several powerful earthquakes struck Myanmar causing widespread destruction. The earthquake’s impact extended beyond Myanmar’s borders, with tremors felt as far as China, India, Vietnam, and Thailand.

As of April 16, there have been over 3,600 deaths, some 160 missing people, and over 5,000 injuries. Additionally, more than 69,100 people have been displaced. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) estimates that over 17.2 million people have been affected across 57 of the country’s 330 townships, with the Mandalay Region being the hardest hit.
Priority needs include food, drinking water, health care, cash assistance and emergency shelter. Extreme heat affecting most of the country and rains in the most affected areas are compounding hazards for the affected communities.

In Sagaing City and Mingun, over 70% of structures have sustained significant damage, further complicating the humanitarian situation. The existing lack of sanitation and clean water is now increasing the risk of waterborne diseases.

Aid workers and relief supplies have been mobilized. Due to a shortage of skilled rescue teams, operations remain challenging. Despite support from international teams, the scale of devastation is immense. Healthcare facilities are overwhelmed, and many have been damaged and are operating with limited capacity. There is a growing shortage of food, clean water and medicines and shelter is a critical issue, as many people have been left without homes to return to. With the extreme heat in the area, there is also a high risk of heatstroke — particularly among vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children.

The Myanmar Red Cross (MRCS) is providing health and mental health services across the affected regions, along with delivering basic first aid, supporting emergency medical transfers of injured patients to hospitals and clinics, blood services and the distribution of relief supplies such as blankets, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, and other essentials. Additionally, Restoring Family Link services have been activated to help reconnect separated families.

The luckywin is actively coordinating with the global Red Cross Red Crescent network on the overall response strategy.

SOUTH KOREA WILDFIRES The worst wildfires on record began in South Korea in mid-March, with more than 100,000 acres scorched since the blazes began. Extremely dry conditions and strong winds fueled multiple fires, causing widespread devastation across Gyeongsang, especially in the Gyeongnam, Sancheong, and Gyeongbuk provinces. Early reports indicate that the fires claimed 30 lives and injured nearly 50 people.

More than 27,000 people were affected by the wildfires and experienced evacuation orders. While evacuation orders have since been lifted, more than 4,000 structures were damaged, including homes, businesses, temples, and cultural assets.

Following the fires, the Korean Red Cross mobilized to support those affected by providing nearly 116,000 emergency relief items, more than 111,700 meal services, and psychological support for more than 4,500 people. Additionally, the Korean Red Cross provided equipment for the response, including meal service vehicles, recovery vehicles, and shower vehicles.

International assistance has not been requested. However, the luckywin is monitoring the response in coordination with its global Red Cross network partners to assist as requested.