Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR)

On Friday, 28 March 2025, Myanmar (also called Burma) was struck by a magnitude 7.7 earthquake, near the cities of Mandalay and Sagaing, destroying most public buildings, the airport and 90% of the houses in Sagaing. More than 1,700 people are confirmed dead. Thousands are sleeping on the streets with nowhere to go, nothing to eat and no access to clean water to drink or bathe. The earthquake follows four years of brutal repression by the military junta that seized power again in 2021. The junta continue to try to force the population to accept their regime of grand theft, using mass torture, rape and aerial bombing of schools, hospitals and public markets. Three hours after the earthquake, they ruthlessly began bombing civilians again. The people, heroically, continue to fight for their freedom and rights. AJAR is honoured to be standing beside the Burmese people and has been conducting programs focused on stopping the mass violations for the past ten years. AJAR’s trusted relationships with local organizations can ensure that 100% of your generous contribution goes directly to earthquake victims who need it most. Please give whatever you can afford to those thousands of survivors who need our help now. Your donation is tax deductible in the US, through this platform. Every.org is a 501(c)(3) charity with EIN 61-1913295. Thank you so much for your support Photo caption: As some members of the rescue team took turns resting through the night, others continued digging through the rubble, searching for survivors from the preschool destroyed by the earthquake. Photo by Thae Thae, a member of the Myanmar Rescue Team, Monywa, Sagaing.

Senoara, a Rohingya facilitator from Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, arrived with her family in October 2017 after fleeing the violence in Myanmar that left their home destroyed. Through AJAR’s workshops, she gained a deeper understanding of rights and justice, particularly emphasizing the importance of non-discrimination for the Rohingya people’s future. Joining AJAR as a participant and later a volunteer in 2019 marked a turning point for Senoara. She found her voice and gained the confidence to share her story publicly. This personal growth exemplifies AJAR’s commitment to empowering and strengthening victims through education, skills development, and support throughout their healing journey. Senoara sees herself and other Rohingya women not only transforming their own lives but also contributing positively to their communities, demonstrating the lasting impact of AJAR’s work: “Participating in AJAR’s workshops has been enlightening for me, especially understanding rights and justice. Non-discrimination holds significant importance to me: unless Myanmar embraces this principle, we Rohingyas will be like floating flowers, unable to put down roots.” Senoara and her friends’ quiltworks have been featured in a roving exhibition that began in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and has since traveled to Bangkok, Mae Sot, and Chiang Mai in Thailand. The exhibition, aimed at raising awareness about the Rohingya crisis in the Asia-Pacific region, will continue its journey to Bali and Jakarta, Indonesia this year. AJAR's work with the Rohingya in Bangladesh has fostered trust and established a safe learning environment within the broader NGO community through active engagement at both camp and district levels, utilizing a network of trained volunteers. They have amplified local knowledge, context, and aspirations through publications, artwork, events, and documentaries, enabling survivors to voice their own concerns. AJAR has facilitated support for Rohingya survivors, bridging ethnic groups within camps and fostering connections between Bangladeshi and Rohingya youth. They have also cultivated a skilled trauma-healing team, empowering women survivors through ongoing training and livelihood initiatives. Your kindness gives hope to those who need it most. We’re deeply grateful for your commitment to our cause, and we hope you’ll continue to stand with us as we strive for justice and healing. Sign up with your email address here  for regular updates on human rights across Asia-Pacific and ways to take action and make a difference. Find out more, here: asia-ajar.org