Caring Report 2025—Asia

In March, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, impacting thousands of lives and damaging critical infrastructure. In response, the Church donated to international humanitarian organizations to provide needed hygiene kits and to construct sanitation and hand-washing facilities. These efforts played a vital role in preventing the spread of disease and restoring a sense of safety and dignity to affected communities.

In February, the Church broke ground for a new heart center at the Siem Reap Provincial Referral Hospital in northwestern Cambodia. The facility will deliver lifesaving care to the region, equipping doctors with the latest medical technology so that they can treat serious heart conditions locally. A cardiologist who will work in the center said that the project will save many lives and transform heart care in the region.

In Sri Lanka, the Church collaborated with UNICEF to provide learning materials for nearly 75,000 students across 450 schools. These supplies were specifically allocated for use in COVID-19 learning recovery programs in order to address the educational disruptions Sri Lanka has faced due to the pandemic and recent economic downturns. The project also trains local teachers to identify and address each student’s needs, ensuring children are able to catch up with their peers.

In Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, the Church donated underwear, household goods, bath towels, socks, and food to the Catholic Church’s House of Mercy to help serve the city’s unsheltered population. Twice a week, the House of Mercy provides hot meals and essential hygiene and sanitation resources—such as bathing and hairdressing services—to 300 people who do not have a place to live.