“Our God is a God of salvation, and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.”
Psalm 68:20
In Kalaymyo, Sagaing, a town in Northern Myanmar, COVID-19 is rapidly spreading. This primarily Chin town was one of the first towns to take up arms against the coup in February. They have seen upwards of 40 protestor deaths and 100 COVID-related deaths in this town alone.
The Tatmadaw has established and enforced lockdowns and curfew in response. Those who have tried to go to the hospital after curfew have been shot on sight, with no opportunity to explain their movements. This has caused many of the sick to remain in their homes in fear. Those who can afford oxygen bring it back to their homes and are cared for by their families. Those who cannot afford it, are elderly, or face medical complications, die in their homes.
Oxygen deliveries, severely needed in the hospitals, have been hindered or completely blocked by fighting between the People’s Defense Force and the Tatmadaw military. Due to a lack of oxygen, volunteers, donors, doctors, and nurses, many people who manage to go to the hospital are still dying. Some doctors fear the COVID variant from India has crossed the border and is now spreading in Myanmar. One of our evangelists, along with four members of his family, contracted COVID-19; thankfully, three of them have recovered. The wife of another evangelist has fallen ill with COVID and is in a terrible state.
Prayer Requests
- Pray for the people of Kalaymyo – for comfort for those who have lost loved ones, relief and care for those who are sick and dying, and safety and success for those trying to bring oxygen.
- Pray against the spread of COVID-19 and conflict-related deaths, and for the recovery of these evangelists’ families and others who are ill. Ask God to mercifully deliver them from death.
