Following a catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, more than 1,700 lives have been lost, with thousands more injured across both countries. The earthquake’s epicenter, situated near Mandalay in central Myanmar, resulted in extensive devastation, including collapsed structures, damaged infrastructure, and serious flooding.
In Thailand, significant tremors were felt in Bangkok, leading to the collapse of a high-rise building that was under construction, with dozens trapped in the debris. Rescue operations are currently in progress, while international aid flows into the area to respond to the growing humanitarian crisis. Myanmar’s military leadership has declared a state of emergency and is seeking global assistance to bolster relief efforts.
Crypto Contributions Led by Changpeng Zhao
Among the noteworthy contributions for disaster relief, Changpeng Zhao, co-founder of Binance, committed 1,000 BNB tokens—valued at around $630,000—divided equally between Myanmar and Thailand. He posted on X on Friday:
“I will donate 500 BNB each to Myanmar and Thailand.”
This announcement inspired many others in the industry to contribute as well, including Anndy Liann, a thought leader and intergovernmental blockchain advisor, who said:
“I will donate 44 $BNB to NPO to help #Myanmar. Earthquake death toll rises to 1,644 amid race to find survivors.”
He urged his followers to heed Zhao’s call and contribute as well.
The donations are being managed through Binance Thailand and local collaborators to ensure they are effectively utilized for rebuilding infrastructure and providing critical services.
Zhao’s generosity underscores the increasing importance of cryptocurrency in humanitarian initiatives, enabling swift and transparent financial aid during emergencies. This trend of leveraging crypto donations for disaster relief has been evident in previous calamities, such as the Turkey-Syria earthquake and the wildfires in Maui.
Recent reports highlight that cryptocurrencies are rapidly changing the landscape of global aid, allowing organizations like Save the Children to more effectively reach those in need in disaster-affected regions.
As rescue crews persevere under difficult circumstances, international cooperation remains vital to addressing immediate needs and supporting impacted communities.
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