Because of growing opposition and insecurity, COVID-19, and a failing economy. The UN humanitarian chief urged Myanmar’s military leaders on Monday to provide unrestricted access to the more than 3 million people in need of life-saving humanitarian assistance since the government forces seized power on Feb. 1.
“This figure will only climb” unless violence is stopped and Myanmar’s situation is resolved peacefully.
He also asked donors to respond to the United Nations appeal, noting that less than half of the $385 million needed has been gathered since the military deposed Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian administration.
Monday marked the first anniversary of Myanmar’s 2020 elections, which “were declared free and fair by domestic and international observers,” according to United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric. Suu Kyi’s National League to Democracy party won about 80% of the elected seats in both the upper and lower houses of Parliament. However, the military disputes the results, stating that the election was rigged.
“The United Nations repeats its call on the military to respect the people’s will and put the country back on track to democratic development,” Dujarric said, adding that the UN is “gravely concerned” about the “intensifying violence in Myanmar” and urges unrestricted humanitarian access once more.
As member of the United Nations, Griffiths released a statement.
The United Kingdom requested that the Security Council hold a closed-door meeting in Myanmar. According to diplomats, Russia and China were opposed to a suggested press statement that would express worry about recent violence, including air strikes, and reiterate the council’s support for the country’s democratic transition, although talks were still ongoing.
Before leaving for the meeting, UK deputy ambassador James Kariuki told reporters that the UK is particularly concerned about the intensification of military action in northwest Chin state, “and we are concerned that this rather mirrors the activity we saw four years ago ahead of the atrocities committed in Rakhine against the Rohingya” Muslim minority.
“Increasingly concerned” about reports of rising levels of food insecurity in and around urban centers, notably Yangon and Mandalay, said the UN’s undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs.
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Source: Global news
