Healing for Myanmar

As rescue teams desperately searched for survivors, they heard a voice shouting, “I’m here! I’m here!” Hayma* had been pinned underneath rocks and debris for five days. Her family feared she was among the nearly 4,000 people who died when a catastrophic earthquake struck Myanmar. Her son and granddaughter had already been found dead. 

As her rescuers got closer, Hayma pleaded for help: “I’m very thirsty. Please give me water.” Eventually, the team peeled away the layers of twisted rebar and crushed concrete and pulled her out. She was thankful to be alive. But a cut on her right foot was deep and causing a lot of pain. Hayma knew the risk of infection was high. She was rushed to a local hospital, but medical facilities had been damaged by the earthquake, and staff couldn’t care for the influx of injured people pouring in from all over the city. 

Hayma had nowhere to turn for help—until a Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) arrived and set up a 60- bed Emergency Field Hospital. Our team immediately rushed her into an operating room, where doctors performed a partial foot amputation to prevent the infection from spreading further up the leg and into vital organs. 

“She had severe crush injuries and a lot of skin loss,” said Tony DeBari, an orthopaedic surgeon who served at our field hospital. “But now, because of this procedure, she’ll be able to walk again. We saved two-thirds of her foot, so she can walk without a prosthesis.” Through the expert, compassionate care of our doctors and nurses, Hayma also received encouragement for her soul. “I would like to thank everyone from Samaritan’s Purse. It is a difficult time for the whole country. I truly appreciate the help,” she said.  Our medical team treated more than 5,000 patients and performed more than 300 surgeries.

“The bulk of the serious work is wound care management, crush injuries, amputations, and amputation revisions,” said Dr. Doug Nottebrock, an emergency and trauma physician. “It’s a humid environment, and the wounds have had time to fester.” With many hospitals and doctors’ offices damaged or destroyed during the earthquake, people were also without access to basic medical services or prescription medicine. Whatever the need, whether big or small, the goal of our team was the same. “We are here to save lives, reduce suffering, and share the hope of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour,” Dr. Nottebrock said. “We share love continually.” In addition to medical care, we provided critical relief supplies such as water filters and shelter material.

Bringing Hope in Jesus' Name

Kalaya*, 18, was in her bedroom painting a portrait for her sister’s birthday gift. Suddenly, the ground started to shake, and she panicked. As the roof fell apart, she lifted her arm over her head to protect herself— and her painting. The rubble crushed her upper left arm and injured her jaw and chin. With the local hospital at maximum capacity, Kalaya was referred to the Samaritan’s Purse facility. Her arm fracture was repaired with a plate by our surgeons, and her facial wounds were tended by dedicated nurses. In just a few days, she was back on her feet and bringing smiles to everyone. “I keep going because pain is proof that I am still alive,” she said. “When I look into the eyes of the doctors, I see that they are faithful and that they care for me. We are really thankful to Samaritan’s Purse. We are from different countries and languages, but we can connect with our hearts.”

As our team cared for suffering people, they trusted God to guide them, knowing that the Great Physician is the only One who heals. “We come in the Name of Jesus and bring hope to a country that is suffering,” said nurse Cheryl Kaufman.

“It is so important that people see Jesus’ love and compassion through us.” “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

*Name changed for security.