The Special Advisory Council for Myanmar (SAC-M) joins the National Unity Government and Myanmar civil society in expressing its deep shock at the twin earthquakes that devastated parts of Myanmar and Thailand on 28 March.
We share the grave fears held for communities in both countries.
As emergency responders work desperately to reach those still trapped, it is impossible to know how many people have been killed and injured. Hospitals and medical centres are overrun. Aftershocks threaten further destruction, which already includes collapsed bridges, arterial roads and high-rise buildings.
SAC-M joins calls for neighbours and the international community to urgently deploy emergency aid, rescue teams and equipment to Myanmar and Thailand.
SAC-M also supports the National Unity Government’s search-and-rescue operations and relocation-and-relief efforts deployed with its ethnic and civil society partners.
Myanmar is in a dire situation, where the military junta’s four-year war of attrition has plunged a third of the population – 20 million people – into poverty and humanitarian need.
The earthquakes, with an epicentre near Mandalay, come at a precarious moment when crippling aid cuts have left vulnerable communities more exposed than ever.
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They also follow Cyclone Mocha and Typhoon Yagi, recent natural disasters that the junta exploited for military advantage by suspending, obstructing and manipulating humanitarian access.
Asean, Myanmar’s neighbours, the UN country team and the international community must therefore ensure that aid, assistance and equipment is directed to the National Unity Government, ethnic organisations, Myanmar civil society and implementing partners to ensure it reaches all communities in need. This must make use of established cross-border channels and prioritise severely affected areas.
Furthermore, Asean’s response should activate and expand on its Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance mandate by evacuating, assisting and relocating affected communities. Speed and effectiveness are essential to save lives. – SAC-M
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
