October 4th, 2021
Eight months after the attempted coup on February 1st, Myanmar sees an escalation of armed conflicts and deteriorating humanitarian crises, according to a joint webinar of nine civil societies organizations (CSOs) including the Progressive Voice on October 4th.
Eight months after the attempted coup, the military junta has severely compounded the existing humanitarian crises in Myanmar, continued to weaponize humanitarian aid to its advantage by withholding, restricting, or even destroying the delivery of aid. Six states which see an escalation of armed conflicts are mostly affected, according to the Progressive Voice.
The webinar titled “Deepening humanitarian crisis in Myanmar” has placed emphasis on humanitarian crises in Kachin, Karen, Karenni (Kayah), Chin and Arakan States.
Civil societies and community-based ethnic organizations which are providing aid to the displaced communities on the ground are facing difficulties in accessing funds due to strict donor regulations.
Naw Htoo Htoo, Director of the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) said: “When we send humanitarian assistance, the military shots and arrests the people accusing them of sending aid to the Karen National Union (KNU). The military uses the “Four Cuts” method. The IDPs are the real losers.”
The CSOs said currently, the military council is releasing propaganda that it is giving protection to the public. The CSOs said a shift by the international community and donors towards community-based ethnic organizations and locally distributed cross-border aid is essential to ensuring aid reaches those most in need
The CSOs also called on donors to relax restrictions so as to access to the funds in time of emergency as the community-based organizations which are helping the IDPs in ethnic areas are facing the difficulty in the availability of funds due to strict procedures of international donors.
Maw Pray Myar of the Karenni National Women Organization (KNWO) said: “Donors should make donations through the CBO, the CSOs, activists and volunteers rather than the INGOs if they want to send aid to the IDPs effectively and swiftly. People and organizations no longer want to carry out the delivery of aid when those working for donors are very tired due to restrictions.
The suggestions and advices included this statement which are mainly intended for ethnic areas, are related to the whole country including the middle and southern areas as the people across the country have to suffer the evil consequences of the military coup.
Currently, the military council’s troops are facing the armed resistances from the People’s Defence Forces across the country. Thousands of people have fled armed conflicts and are in need of helps and assistance. Civilians are in position to flee to safer places as the fighting may continue to intensify, the CSOs say.
Sent by the KIC.
