The Humanitarian Crisis in Myanmar: How the Junta is Sabotaging Aid Efforts

BLOCKADE OF LIFESAVING CYCLONE AID: A MAN-MADE CATASTROPHE IN MYANMAR

The Junta‘s Obstruction of Humanitarian Aid

In the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha, the Myanmar junta has increasingly impeded the delivery of lifesaving aid, putting thousands of lives at immediate risk and endangering millions of people. The junta‘s tactics have hindered every aspect of the response to the cyclone, transforming a natural disaster into a man-made catastrophe. Human Rights Watch has called on governments to pressure the junta to lift all restrictions on aid delivery while also holding junta officials accountable for their ongoing human rights abuses. The current obstructive measures include:

1. Refusal to authorize travel and visas for aid workers
2. Delaying the release of urgent supplies from customs and warehouses
3. Imposing unnecessary restrictions on lifesaving assistance

The persistence of Cyclone Mocha’s damages, illnesses, and deaths are a direct result of the junta‘s new and existing restrictions on aid. The junta‘s actions are not only hindering the relief efforts but also seeking to legitimize and consolidate their control over the country. Rohingya communities in Rakhine State are particularly affected, with limited access to food, clean water, shelter, and medical support. The junta‘s moves to block aid delivery can only exacerbate their suffering, especially with the monsoon season starting.

A Man-Made Catastrophe

The Myanmar junta‘s obstruction of aid has turned Cyclone Mocha, one of the strongest cyclones to ever hit the region, into a man-made catastrophe. The cyclone’s impact has been devastating, affecting an estimated 7.9 million people, with 1.6 million in urgent need of aid across five states and regions. The cyclone has resulted in hundreds of deaths and extensive damage to buildings. However, the junta‘s actions have worsened the situation, denying access to aid workers, confiscating supplies, and impeding the distribution of relief materials.

Aid workers, local activists, and villagers have raised concerns that the junta‘s obstruction is a deliberate attempt to assert control and undermine the efforts of organizations and groups seeking to help the affected communities. The junta‘s actions demonstrate a lack of concern for the well-being of the people and a clear determination to maintain power at any cost.

International Response and Recommended Actions

The Myanmar junta‘s grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, including the obstruction of aid, warrant urgent attention and action from the international community. While some regional bodies and the United Nations have called for full and unhindered humanitarian access, the junta‘s actions have only escalated since the December 2022 UN Security Council resolution.

Human Rights Watch urges the international community to take the following actions:

1. Urgently pass a follow-up UN Security Council resolution:
a. Implement a global arms embargo on the junta
b. Refer the situation to the International Criminal Court
c. Impose sanctions on the junta leadership and military-owned businesses

2. Increase funding for the global humanitarian response:
a. Donors should contribute to the US$887 million needed for the year
b. Explore channels to deliver aid through local civil society groups rather than junta authorities

3. Engage local partners for effective aid delivery:
a. Recognize the importance of working with local partners who have the networks and experience to navigate the challenging environment
b. Facilitate access for aid workers and ensure their safety and security

4. Pressure the junta to lift all restrictions on aid delivery:
a. Hold the junta accountable for their ongoing human rights abuses
b. Demand immediate access for aid workers and the release of urgent supplies

The lives of countless thousands of people across Myanmar are at risk because of the junta‘s obstinacy and determination to maintain control. Governments and humanitarian organizations must prioritize the well-being and safety of the affected communities and work together to overcome the obstacles presented by the junta. Failure to act promptly and decisively may result in further loss of life and deepen the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.

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