A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, last Friday, leaving the immediate area devastated with at least 2,000 people dead and over 3,400 injured, with the number expected to rise as data from neighboring countries such as Thailand comes in.
The 10-kilometer deep quake released energy comparable to hundreds of nuclear explosions, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey. It was the most powerful earthquake to have hit Myanmar since 1912 and so far is the second deadliest in the country's modern history.
Rescue efforts continue as hundreds remain missing, including about 80 people at a collapsed construction site in Bangkok.
International response to the situation so far includes the United Nation's $5 million pledge, China's $13.8 million commitment, and support from India, Russia, and the U.S.
Charity Platform JustGiving Adds Support for Bitcoin, Dogecoin Donations
Fundraising platform JustGiving has rolled out support for cryptocurrency donations, greatly increasing the number of ways that users can send funds to charities and fundraising campaigns. The UK-based crowdfunding website's users can now make donations denominated in more than 60 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, and Dogecoin, the company said in a statement. The platform is offering the new donation option amid a resurgence in retail interest in cryptocurrencies. Digital a...
How to help?
Relief organizations face significant obstacles. Damaged infrastructure has left many areas inaccessible.
Hospitals report critical shortages of medical supplies amid overwhelming casualties. However, banking restrictions and damaged financial infrastructure could render traditional fund transfers problematic.
Donations made in crypto offer practical advantages in situations such as this, and some in the industry already have efforts underway to help out.
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In line with these efforts and in solidarity with those affected, Decrypt searched for some of the major humanitarian organizations that accept crypto for relief efforts.
Here's a list of some organizations that currently receive crypto, and which ones they accept.
- Red Cross (BTC, BCH, ETH, select stablecoins via BitPay)
- Save the Children (Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDC)
- British Red Cross (over 70 cryptocurrencies and tokens)
- UNICEF (Bitcoin and Ethereum)
- Doctors Without Borders (via The Giving Block)
For those wishing to donate, the organizations typically provide wallet addresses on their official websites. Traditional donation methods remain equally important alternatives.
More organizations with other response areas are listed by The Giving Block, a crypto organization working with humanitarian organizations to accept crypto donations.
Edited by Sebastian Sinclair