Photo credit: news.un.org
During a press conference at UN Headquarters in New York, Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the catastrophic impact of a recent earthquake in Myanmar, describing it as a crisis that has “supercharged the suffering.”
He stated emphatically that “Myanmar today is the scene of utter devastation and desperation,” pointing out that even prior to this natural disaster, the country was already facing significant political instability, human rights violations, and a deteriorating humanitarian landscape.
Guterres underscored the necessity for immediate and decisive action across multiple fronts to address the urgent needs of the affected populations.
Millions in critical need
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that over 17 million individuals have been impacted by the earthquakes, with nearly nine million suffering from the most severe effects.
In addition, more than 370 individuals are unaccounted for, and numerous others have sustained injuries. The infrastructure in the worst-affected areas has been critically damaged; telecommunications, power, and water supplies are in disarray, leaving survivors without essential resources.
Access routes between Yangon and central Myanmar are impeded, complicating aid delivery, while commercial flights to Mandalay are currently halted.
According to OCHA’s latest flash update, “Areas hit hardest by the quake remain devoid of electricity and water, with severely disrupted telecommunications and internet access, thereby isolating communities from vital services.”
Moreover, many families, including children, are forced to sleep outdoors, living in fear of aftershocks or due to the destruction of their homes.
Overcrowded makeshift shelters often lack security and privacy, thereby heightening the risk of violence based on gender and sexual assaults. UN agencies have pressed for immediate actions to ensure the safety and dignity of women and girls during this trying time.
Julia Rees, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Myanmar, has remarked on the conditions facing communities in some of the severely affected regions:
UN taking action
In response to the crisis, Guterres announced the dispatch of UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher to Myanmar to coordinate relief efforts.
“He is expected to arrive on the ground tomorrow,” Guterres stated, also mentioning that Special Envoy Julie Bishop will travel to Myanmar soon to reaffirm the UN’s dedication to peace and ongoing dialogue.
The UN has allocated $5 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for immediate assistance, while the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has mobilized an additional $12 million for various relief efforts focusing on food, shelter, water, sanitation, debris clearance, and healthcare services.
However, these funds are substantially inadequate when measured against the scale of the crisis.
“I urge the international community to urgently increase funding to address the vast needs created by this disaster,” Guterres appealed.
Need for unimpeded access
A significant challenge facing aid efforts is the ongoing conflict within Myanmar. Since the military takeover that ousted the democratically elected government in 2021, the nation has been marred by violence and mass displacement.
While ceasefires have been announced by both the military and opposition groups to facilitate humanitarian aid, Guterres remarked that these temporary measures must lead to sustained peace.
“I call for swift, safe, enduring, and unrestricted humanitarian access to those in dire need throughout the country,” he stated, urging all parties involved to fulfill their responsibilities to protect civilians.
Impending monsoon threats
As humanitarian initiatives ramp up, UN agencies warn of the rapidly closing window to assist vulnerable populations. Preliminary assessments reveal that more than 76 percent of affected individuals have yet to receive any form of aid.
With the monsoon season approaching, the risk of disease outbreaks and further displacement increases significantly.
A call for a return to democracy
Looking beyond immediate humanitarian relief, Guterres urged that the response to the earthquake could become a pivotal moment for Myanmar.
He expressed hope that this tragic event could serve as an impetus for meaningful political change, advocating for an end to violence, the release of political prisoners, and a pathway back to democracy.
“As communities across Myanmar come together in their grief, now is also the time to unite behind a political solution to bring an end to this brutal conflict,” Guterres emphasized.
Additionally, he stressed the importance of addressing the plight of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, advocating for their safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable return to Myanmar.
“The United Nations will continue to strive for peace and essential assistance for the people of Myanmar during this critical time.”
Source
news.un.org