9 June 2025

Karen State, Burma

On March 10, 2025, we shared the tragic loss of one of our female medics, Naw Say Moo Paw, who was burned to death when the Burma Air Force dropped a firebomb where she was treating patients.

The Burma Army targeted a Casualty Collection Point (CCP) on March 8, 2025, where Naw Say Moo Paw was treating wounded people as part of a group of FBR and other local medics.

Two female medics died as a result of the firebomb, including Naw Say Moo Paw, and Naw Gay survived. She is in critical condition, and in continued need of help and support to remain alive.

26-year-old Naw Gay was the lone survivor of the three medics treating wounded people during the attack. She was hiding in a bunker with the two others when it was hit. She was evacuated to a hospital across the border to begin treatment, and underwent at least seven surgeries. Her left hand was amputated below the elbow, as well as part of the fingers on her right hand. She has severe burns, including to her face, in which she lost her eyelids, nose, lips, and left ear.

One of her doctors told close sources that she has never received a case this tragic or challenging in her career.

Naw Gay is the fifth-born of seven children from the Toungoo District of Karen State. When her two brothers, Saw Gay Nay Htoo and Saw Gay Doh Say learned of Naw Gay’s condition, they said they were shocked, deeply saddened, and couldn’t sleep. They both work as dishwashers to support their families, but do not have enough money to pay for Naw Gay’s medical care or surgeries.

Both brothers have been visiting Naw Gay in the hospital in an effort to console her and remind her that God always has a plan. “By the grace of God, God will help her,” they said. One brother said he told her, “You used to help others, now people will help you in return.”

Naw Gay attended grade school, high school and college at Mae La refugee camp in Thailand. Following graduation, she underwent six months of training to become a community health worker (CHW) to become a volunteer on the front lines of conflict in Burma.

The brothers described her as a humorous and talkative person, always helping and encouraging others who are in distress in conflict situations. And, most of all, they said she is courageous. Despite losing two close friends in the bombing, and dealing with unimaginable pain in her body, Naw Gay remains a strong woman of faith in God.

Naw Gay now needs extensive surgery in order to survive. Because of the difficulty of these surgeries, doctors currently overseeing Naw Gay’s case are not able to perform them with the resources, equipment and experience required. She will have to undergo surgery elsewhere. She has an opportunity to receive the specialized surgery and rehabilitative care she needs but it is expensive and complicated logistically. Please join us as we pray for healing, peace for Naw Gay and the funds required to provide the further extensive care she needs. Please pray also for an end to the relentless suffering inflicted by the Burma military on so many others like Naw Gay.

Thank you and God bless you,

The Free Burma Rangers