UN urges 'lifesaving' aid for millions in Myanmar

UNITED NATIONS－The UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths expressed concern on Monday over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Myanmar.

Across Myanmar, there are more than 3 million people in need of lifesaving assistance due to growing conflict, COVID-19 and a failing economy. Without an end to violence and a peaceful resolution of the crisis, this number will only rise, warned Griffiths in a statement.

Since the Feb 1 military takeover, hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes due to violence across the country, and 223,000 people remain internally displaced. This includes 165,000 in the southeast of the country and on top of a significant number of people who were already displaced in the states of Rakhine, Chin, Shan and Kachin prior to the takeover.

Long-term displacement remains unresolved, with many of the 144,000 Rohingya people still confined to camps and camp-like settings in Rakhine since their displacement in 2012, and more than 105,000 people displaced in Kachin and Shan over the years.

"I am also concerned about reports of rising levels of food insecurity in and around urban areas, including in Yangon and Mandalay," Griffiths said.

In recent weeks, the situation in Myanmar's northwest has become extremely concerning, with an escalation in hostilities between the Myanmar armed forces and the Chinland Defence Force in Chin, and with the People's Defence Force in Magway and Sagaing regions.

More than 37,000 people, including women and children, have been newly displaced. More than 160 homes have also been burned, along with churches and the offices of a humanitarian organization. Attacks directed against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including humanitarian workers and facilities, are clearly prohibited under international humanitarian law and must be stopped immediately, Griffiths said.

Humanitarian access to many people in desperate need across the country remains extremely limited due to bureaucratic impediments put in place by the armed forces. Griffiths called on the Myanmar armed forces and all other parties to facilitate safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access.

He also urged donors to respond to the United Nations' appeal, saying that less than half of the $385 million required has been raised since the military takeover.

Xinhua - Agencies