Myanmar is accelerating, warning the UN Secretary General to call for peace to the ASEAN regional bloc
The UN chief’s appeal comes as aid agencies warn that millions of people are still struggling across Myanmar – especially in the north, southeast and Rakhine state. Their plight is made worse by torrential rains and catastrophic flooding, amid a lack of humanitarian access and insufficient relief funding.
“The humanitarian situation is growing. One-third of the population is in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Millions of people have been forced to leave their homes,” Mr. Guterres speak Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Conference. “I support enhanced cooperation between the UN Special Envoy and the ASEAN Chair on innovative ways to advance the Myanmar-led process.”
The Secretary-General said that the key to peace in Myanmar will be the effective implementation of ASEAN’s “5-Point Consensus”, referring to the bloc’s plan that includes an immediate end to violence, dialogue between all parties and increase humanitarian assistance.
Urgent need for aid
According to the United Nations aid coordination office, OCHA, More than three million people were displaced across Myanmar, mainly after fleeing “extensive” conflict that has created “tremendous humanitarian needs”, especially in the north, southeast and Rakhine State”.
Since early September, one million people have also been affected by torrential monsoon rains and the aftermath of Cyclone Yagi. According to reports, at least 360 people died in the floods and many others were injured in many areas.
There are also Deep concern about rising hunger levels after crops were flooded and livestock swept away, destroying the livelihoods of vulnerable communities.
OCHA said local volunteers were cleaning up areas where floodwaters had receded but persistent rain and rising rivers threatened further flooding.
To date, the aid response has so far provided food to more than 150,000 people in the southeastern, northwestern and Rakhine states; plans to reach an additional 73,000 people in the southeast. More than 80,000 people in the Northwest have received drinking water, hygiene supplies and hygiene relief, along with shelter materials and other non-food items.
Despite the challenges faced by aid workers in Myanmar, 40% of the 5.3 million people targeted for assistance received some form of humanitarian assistance in the first half of the year.
OCHA emphasized the important role of national and local partners who have worked closely with communities and provided a “lifeline” of support. The UN agency said more could be done if funding could be found, noting that in the first 10 months of the year, a $1 billion response plan was severely underfunded. less than 30%.
