At least 74 people were killed by the 6.8-magnitude earthquake that hit close to the Laos-Thai border.

World Vision’s country director for Burma, Chris Herink, told Radio Australia today that water was a “critical need”.

He said the quake had caused “significant” damage to buildings and roads and that coffins could be seen in front of collapsed houses.

In stark contrast to the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in 2008, when the Burmese government initially blocked international aid, Mr Herink said the government had responded quickly to the earthquake and was working with other agencies such as UNICEF and the Red Cross.

“Very significantly, the government seems to have responded extremely quickly and is sharing information with all agencies in a very efficient way … We’ve exchanged information and one very, very positive thing is that they’ve actually requested World Vision to provide assistance,” he told the station.

Mr Herink said the Burmese government had specifically asked World Vision to provide food and water to families, as well as water purification tablets.

“That’s a very positive sign that the government isn’t only relying on its own capacity to respond,” he said.

World Vision has so far distributed water purification tablets for 40,000 people and is planning to provide 2,500 tarpaulins for those who have lost their homes.

Gospel for Asia has deployed Compassion Teams to affected areas to assess the needs. It is already offering assistance to communities still recovering from the 2008 cyclone and a rat infestation which has devastated crops and caused widespread hunger.

GFA President K P Yohannan said it was “heartbreaking” to see the people of Burma suffering crisis after crisis.

“The test of the depth of our love for Christ is understood in the response to those suffering and who are in desperate need of Jesus’ love,” he said.

“The Lord loves these precious people so very much, and it is our joy to show them His love in action.”