Myanmar Earthquake: A Survivor's Struggle from Exile

As Myanmar grapples with the aftermath of a historic earthquake, many in the diaspora like Ko Naing reflect on feelings of survivor's guilt and helplessness, facing challenges in aiding their loved ones while living abroad under political threat.

In the aftermath of Myanmar’s largest earthquake in a century, a wave of grief has washed over the country and its diaspora. Ko Naing, a 35-year-old labor rights activist, expressed his deep sense of helplessness and guilt upon learning about the devastating impact of the earthquake that struck near Mandalay, claiming the lives of at least 2,000 people.

Originally from Sagaing, Ko Naing fled to Thailand nearly a year ago to escape the military junta’s crackdown on dissent, a decision he made with the reluctant blessing of his great-uncle, whom he affectionately calls Oo Oo. Last week’s disaster took the life of his beloved relative, leaving Ko Naing wrestling with sleepless nights filled with regret. “I feel guilty because our people need us the most now,” he lamented.

Like Ko Naing, millions of members of Myanmar’s diaspora are grappling with survivor's guilt as they watch from abroad while their homeland suffers. With a significant portion of Myanmar’s population residing in Thailand—estimated to be around 4.3 million, mostly as undocumented migrants—many are now faced with the additional burden of feeling distant and helpless amidst disaster and political turmoil.

On the bustling streets of Samut Sakhon, a prominent fishing port in Thailand, many migrants wear traditional Burmese clothing as they navigate life far from home. The emotional toll is palpable. “We feel so sad about not being able to do anything,” shared Yin Yin, a factory worker who is concerned for her family back in Myanmar.

Ko Naing, who has close relatives living in the affected regions, described the moment he learned of the quake. He felt the tremors in Thailand and immediately took to social media. His heart sank further when he saw aerial photographs of collapsed infrastructures, a powerful local bridge reduced to ruins. News trickled in slowly. Most of his family members remained safe, apart from his distant great-aunt and, tragically, his Oo Oo.

The earthquake struck on a day when tensions were already high in Sagaing, where military forces had intensified their attacks against civilians. His great-uncle chose to stay behind at a village monastery, believing it safe from military strikes, but it was ultimately the site of his demise when it collapsed under the quake's force.

Despite being safe in Thailand, Ko Naing grapples with feelings of loss and depression. His memories of afternoons shared with Oo Oo—fishing by the river and discussing current events—hunt him as he grapples with his new reality: a life of safety at the cost of closeness to his family. He fondly remembers Oo Oo’s resilience, stating, “He was my source of inspiration, especially in difficult times.”

With a dark past of fleeing political persecution and ongoing conflicts in Myanmar, Ko Naing’s mind often drifts back to his family, prompting him to seek ways to help. He and other members of the diaspora are organizing collection drives to send humanitarian aid to quake victims and provide support for those affected by the recent construction catastrophe in Bangkok, where many migrant workers were employed.

“We can still do something,” he urges, fighting against the overwhelming sense of despair that clouds his life. His story reflects the broader narrative of a people displaced but determined to honor their roots, even amid adversity.