“We urgently need to do more”: Actors Christopher Chung and Indira Varma call for more donations, as aftershocks strike regions devastated by Myanmar earthquake

*** New appeal film available to download here *** 

Actors Christopher Chung (Doctor Who, Slow Horses) and Indira Varma (Game of Thrones, Mission Impossible 7) have shown their support for the Disaster Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Myanmar Earthquake Appeal, in a powerful new video launched on the DEC’s website and social media channels.  

The video highlights the destruction caused by the earthquake on 28 March, and how people’s lives were shattered in an instant. The actors also warn of the impending devastation if survivors are not able to access humanitarian aid, with soaring temperatures and the arrival of the monsoon season threatening to take its toll on those living without shelter.  

Hundreds of aftershocks since the earthquake are continuing to instill fear across the worst impacted areas. On Sunday, central Myanmar was struck by a 5.5 magnitude earthquake as some families marked the first day of Thingyan, Myanmar’s traditional New Year festivities.  

The DEC has so far raised over £18 million for the Myanmar Earthquake Appeal, since launching on 3 April. This total is thanks to the amazing generosity of the UK public, DEC corporate partners and longstanding supporters. It includes £5 million in UK Aid Match from the UK Government.  

However, more support is urgently needed. The powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on 28 March has already claimed the lives of over 3,600 people, with huge numbers left displaced and in need of humanitarian support. An estimated 17 million people have been affected, and many are now without access to food, clean water, shelter and medical care.  

DEC charities including the British Red Cross, International Rescue Committee and World Vision, are working on the ground with local partners to reach communities in need. More than two weeks on from the disaster, aid workers are working around the clock to reach the hardest hit areas with emergency support.   

Together, Christopher and Indira are urging the UK public to continue to give generously to the Appeal, to enable the DEC’s member charities to help many more families, children and communities in desperate need.  

Actor and IRC Ambassador Indira Varma said:  

“The destruction caused by the earthquake happened in seconds, but the long-term impact on Myanmar’s people will endure for months - if not years. Families are now living in the cruelest conditions, without food or safe shelter. Even newborn babies are sleeping outside, exposed to the elements. Monsoon rains will only make things harder. As an International Rescue Committee Ambassador, I’ve seen first-hand people’s incredible resilience, and the power of communities to piece their lives back together after even the most devastating disasters. Now the people of Myanmar need our support, and donations to the DEC’s Appeal will go a long way to provide some hope to those who have lost everything.” 

Actor Christopher Chung said:  

“A third of people in Myanmar already needed humanitarian aid long before the earthquake, and now vast numbers of them have been affected by this tragic natural disaster. Thousands are dealing with injuries from the earthquake and need urgent medical treatment. As temperatures reach oppressive highs and the rains start, the risk of disease spreading in overcrowded camps is rising fast, made worse by a critical lack of even the most basic medicines. It’s easy to feel helpless in the face of so much suffering, but there is something we can do to help. Right now, DEC member charities are working with local partners on the ground, providing hygiene kits, clean water and mobile health clinics. There is much more work to be done, but our support really can make a big difference.”  

Just some of the ways that DEC charities are supporting people in Myanmar include:  

• Building temporary shelters and providing blankets and tarpaulins to displaced families.  
• Deploying mobile health clinics and supplying vital medicines.  
• Distributing hygiene kits, kitchen supplies, and water buckets to support daily life.  
• Providing cash assistance so people can meet their most urgent needs while supporting the local economy.  
• Supplying emergency food including rice, chickpeas and cooking oil.  
• Running child-friendly spaces and providing psychosocial support to help children process their trauma.   

Notes to editors:  

Media enquiries please call 020 7387 0200 or 07930 999 014 (out of hours)      

A collection of images and video footage of the aftermath of the earthquake and DEC charities responding is available here.  

About the DEC: The DEC brings together 15 leading UK aid charities at times of crisis overseas to raise funds quickly and efficiently. In these times of crisis, people in life-and-death situations need our help and our mission is to save, protect and rebuild lives through effective humanitarian response.  

The DEC’s 15 member charities are: Action Against Hunger, ActionAid UK, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide UK, International Rescue Committee UK, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Oxfam GB, Plan International UK, Save the Children UK, Tearfund and World Vision UK.      

All of the DEC’s 15 members are either responding or planning to respond in Myanmar and will receive funds from this appeal. They are already delivering lifesaving aid to communities impacted by the earthquake and have decades of experience working with trusted local partners to support people across Myanmar. They are Action Against Hunger, ActionAid UK, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide UK, International Rescue Committee UK, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Plan International UK, Oxfam GB, Save the Children UK, Tearfund and World Vision UK.    

£5 million of donations from the UK public have now been matched by UK Aid Match.    

Through UK Aid Match the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) gives the British public the opportunity to have a say in how the UK aid budget is spent whilst boosting the impact of the very best British charities to change and save the lives of some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.    

UK Aid Match has increased the impact of a number of DEC appeals to help those in need around the world, including most recently in the Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal and the Middle East Humanitarian Appeal.  

Enquiries about UK Aid Match and UK Government support for Myanmar should be directed to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Newsdesk. Please email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk.    

How to donate:      

Online: dec.org.uk    

Phone: 0330 123 0555  

Text to give/SMS: for press releases: text SUPPORT to 70727 to donate £10. Other partners should use the specific text codes they have been provided with by the DEC.    

Donate over the counter at any high street bank or post office, or send a cheque by post to: DEC Myanmar Earthquake Appeal, PO Box 999, London EC3A 3AA.