Dunedin bishop prays at support vigil after Myanmar earthquake

The Dunedin Myanmar community hosted a candlelight vigil in the Octagon on April 6, after at least 3471 people were killed in the 7.7 magnitude earthquake on March 28. State media reported that 4850 people were injured and another 220 are missing.

The Dunedin vigil featured prayers from religious leaders, including Bishop Dooley, Sikh community member Lucky Singh and Dhargyey Buddhist Centre member Peter Small.

Dunedin Multi-Ethnic Council president Lux Selvanesan said the vigil was a way to recognise the pain members of Dunedin’s Burmese community were feeling.

Burmese community member Su Dali Than said it was a devastating time for Dunedin residents from Myanmar.

One man shared that his family home had been destroyed in the earthquake and two of his nephews had been killed while they were praying in a mosque. Others were still waiting to hear from family members who live close to the epicentre of the earthquake.

In a Facebook post, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand said Caritas Myanmar is delivering desperately needed emergency shelter, fuel, water and sanitation to those in need.

“To help ensure this work continues in Myanmar, we have teamed up with eight other NGOs – part of the Emergency Alliance,” the Caritas Facebook post stated.

“The alliance brings together New Zealand’s leading experts in humanitarian aid and disaster response. By combining our expertise and pooling our resources, we are raising funds quickly and efficiently to respond to this crisis.”

To donate to the emergency alliance, visit www.emergencyalliance.org.nz/myanmar-earthquake

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Candlelight vigil held for quake victims (By Mark John/Otago Daily Times)

Facebook (Facebook/Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand)

Rains add to misery in quake-hit Myanmar as death toll rises to 3,471 | Earthquakes News | Al Jazeera (Al Jazeera)

UN calls for Myanmar support as quake death toll reaches 3,354 | Reuters (Reuters)