Guterres urges immediate, unhindered humanitarian access in Myanmar as quake toll rises

By Anjali Sharma

UNITED NATIONS – UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called for immediate and unrestricted humanitarian access to Myanmar, where the devastating earthquakes claimed over 3,000 lives and left millions in urgent need and help.

Guterres warned that the earthquake has “supercharged the suffering” as he was addressing reporters in New York.

“Myanmar today is the scene of utter devastation and desperation,” he said.

He emphasized that even before the disaster, the country was grappling with political turmoil, human rights abuses and a worsening humanitarian situation.

“We need rapid action on several fronts,” he said.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, over 17 million people have been affected by the earthquakes, with 9 million experiencing the highest level of devastation.

OCHA said over 370 people remain missing, while thousands of others are injured.

Telecommunications, power, and water supply systems have collapsed in the hardest-hit regions, left survivors without basic necessities and humanitarians struggling to reach them.

The road access between Yangon and central Myanmar requires detours, delaying aid deliveries, while commercial flights to Mandalay remain suspended, UN agencies reported.

OCHA said in a flash update “The hardest-hit areas remain without electricity and water, while telecommunications and internet access are severely disrupted, cutting off affected communities from essential services”.

The entire families, including children, are sleeping in the open due to fears of aftershocks or because their homes have been destroyed, it stated.

UN agencies warned that makeshift shelters are overcrowded and lack security and privacy, increasing the risk of sexual- and gender-based violence.

They called for urgent measures to ensure safety and dignity of women and girls.

Mr. Guterres announced that he is dispatching UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher to Myanmar to oversee relief operations.

“He will be on the ground tomorrow,” Mr. Guterres said.

He added that Special Envoy Julie Bishop will visit Myanmar in the coming days to reinforce the UN’s commitment to peace and dialogue.

UN has also allocated $5 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund for immediate aid, while the UN Office for Project Services has mobilized $12 million for food, shelter, water, sanitation, debris removal and healthcare.

He stressed that these funds fall far short of what is needed.

Mr. Guterres said “I appeal to the international community to immediately step up vitally needed funding to match the scale of this crisis”.

UN agencies noted that one of the biggest obstacles to relief efforts is the ongoing conflict in Myanmar.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military overthrew the democratically elected government in 2021, led to widespread violence and displacement.

The military and armed opposition groups have announced temporary ceasefires to facilitate aid deliveries, Mr. Guterres stressed that these must translate into lasting peace.

“I appeal for rapid, safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access to reach those most in need across the country,” he said.

He called on all parties to uphold their obligations to protect civilians.

UN agencies have warned that time is running out as humanitarian operations scale up,  the initial assessments indicate that more than 76 per cent of those surveyed have yet to receive any assistance.

They said that the monsoon season approaching, the risk of disease outbreaks and further displacement looms large.

Mr. Guterres called for the earthquake response to serve as a turning point for Myanmar beyond immediate relief efforts.

He called for the current tragic moment to become an opportunity for the people of Myanmar, appealing for a political process that includes an end to violence, the release of political prisoners and a pathway to democracy.

“As communities across Myanmar unite in grief, it is also time to unite behind a political solution to end the brutal conflict,” Mr. Guterres said.

He stressed the need for a comprehensive solution that includes the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh in addition to restoring democracy.

“The United Nations will keep pushing for peace and lifesaving support for the people of Myanmar in their hour of need,” he concluded