Courage in crisis: How one volunteer saved dozens of lives after Myanmar’s March 2025 earthquake
Just more than six months ago, two powerful earthquakes struck central Myanmar, impacting more than 1.35 million people and devastating thousands of homes, schools, and hospitals.In this moment of chaos, many found hope in the Red Cross uniform. May Tha Gyan, a dedicated female volunteer from Pubbathiri Township in Naypyitaw, one of the earthquake hardest-hit areas, was among them.On that fateful day, the 31-year-old May was on duty at the Red Cross Headquarters in Naypyitaw, donned in her uniform. The disaster hit close to home: her two older children were at Sunday school while her youngest daughter was with her husband.With phone lines immediately down and roads destroyed, she couldn’t reach them. Yet, her sense of duty guided her forward without hesitation.‘No time to think’The first person May helped was a woman with a severe head injury. Drawing on her training from the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS), she stopped the bleeding, bandaged the wound, and arranged for an ambulance. As she transported the injured, her journey transformed into a mobile first aid station.“In an emergency, there’s no time to think too much,”May recalls. “As soon as people were rescued, I had to make quick decisions on how to give first aid.”Only later did she learn from her husband that her family was safe, allowing her to focus entirely on the overwhelmed hospital.“It was extremely chaotic: people with amputations, head injuries, and blood everywhere,”she described, detailing how she helped doctors determine who needed urgent care‘I broke down’The most challenging moment arrived when a grieving mother placed her lifeless child in May’s arms. “As a mother myself, I broke down,”she admitted, grappling with thoughts of her own children and questioning her husband’s assurances.Still, May persevered. By 4 PM that same day, she had taken on the role of first id team leader, guiding four volunteers into collapsed buildings to search for survivors.For 15 days, they worked tirelessly, making critical decisions. May found strength in knowing her husband and parents cared for her children, allowing her the peace of mind to fulfill her mission.‘Every household needs first-aid knowledge’In her neighborhood, nearly all 200 buildings had collapsed. Although her house remained, it leaned precariously against a ruin, forcing her family to sleep on the street with 700 others for 20 days. During that time, she emerged as a pillar of strength, providing care and comfort to around 200 households.Her message is clear: “First aid is critical. It saves lives in the crucial moments before reaching a hospital or clinic.”Passionate about teaching these skills to young people, she emphasizes that “In disasters, every household needs first aid knowledge to save lives.”She also stresses self-care for those, like her, who are giving everything they have to help their neighbors. “Volunteers must keep themselves safe first. Only by staying healthy can we save others,”she says.She saved more than 75 livesMay’s unwavering dedication has been recognized. On 13 September 2025, World First Aid Day, she received the First Aid Excellence Award for saving more than 75 lives through first aid in just two years. She has also rescued over 200 people during floods and provided aid in a serious bus accident.These earthquakes struck amid existing floods, conflict, economic struggles, and extreme heat, pushing communities to their limits. Six months later, the IFRC and its membership transitioned from supporting the Myanmar Red Cross with emergency relief to early recovery, providing shelter, cash, healthcare, and clean water.May remains tirelessly involved, distributing aid and training over 20 young people in first aid. And she is not alone. She is just one of many Myanmar Red Cross volunteers who have responded courageously and tirelessly from the moment the quake struck, through today’s on-going recovery efforts.While some families have begun rebuilding, many still live in temporary shelters. The road to recovery is long, but individuals like May ensure that no one is left behind.Learn more about the IFRC and Myanmar Red Cross response:As of 30 September 2025, with support of theIFRC Emergency Appealand other International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners, as well as other donors, the Myanmar Red Cross Society has reached more than 200,000 people across 30 townships. This includes:More than 99,359 people have received health care, and more than 1.3 million liters of safe drinking water have been distributed.Sanitation and hygiene services have reached 170,961 people through the clean water supply, construction of latrines, distribution of water tanks and water filters, distribution of hygiene kits and cleaning materials, and hygiene awareness sessions.More than 157,904 people have received household items such as shelter kits, mosquito nets, and kitchen sets. MPCA reached more than 15,015 households. This is in addition to 23,424 householdsreached through Complementary Cash Assistance. In addition, 150 households received cash assistance for latrines.More than 126,922 people have received food and livelihood assistance, mainly mobilized locally from individuals and non-Movement partners of MRCS.Considering protection, gender and inclusion (PGI), more than 19,220 people have been reached with gender and age-specific items such as dignity kits, infant kits, and delivery kits.300 metric tonnes of relief and goods arrived in country from the IFRC Network, other partners, and donor governments.32 National Societies globally have, to date, supported MRCS in this operation (financially, with in-kind donations, or with technical support).MRCS has deployed over 698 volunteers from its network of trained and experienced volunteers countrywide.You can support volunteers like May Tha Gyan by donating to the Myanmar Earthquake Emergency Appeal.