Red Cross seeks more than $100 million for Myanmar quake

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies launched an emergency appeal Sunday for more than $100 million to help victims of the devastating earthquake in Myanmar.

The IFRC, the world’s largest humanitarian network, said the country suffered extensive destruction in Friday’s 7.7-magnitude quake near the central city of Mandalay, and needs were growing by the hour.

“To scale up support, the IFRC launches an emergency appeal for 100 million Swiss francs ($115 million) to assist 100,000 people (20,000 households) with life-saving relief and early recovery support over the next 24 months,” it said in a statement.

With temperatures rising and the monsoon season approaching within weeks, affected communities need stabilising urgently “before secondary crises emerge”, it said.