By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN warned on Thursday that the urgent humanitarian needs are going unmet due to escalating violence and blocked access from deadly floods, renewed fighting and widespread displacement in Myanmar.
UN Deputy Spokesperson, Farhan Haq stressed the need for unimpeded relief operations and a peaceful path out of crisis.
“The UN remains concerned by ongoing violence in Myanmar, including aerial bombardment hitting civilians and civilian infrastructure,” he said in New York.
He added “Civilians and humanitarian workers must be protected.”
The monsoon rains and floods worsened by Cyclone Wipha swept through parts of the country, straining regions destabilized by conflict and a devastating earthquake in March.
According to the latest UN figures the crisis left over 3.3 million people internally displaced, with 182,000 seeking refuge abroad since the military coup in February 2021.
Over 1.2 million members of the minority Muslim Rohingya community were forced to flee the country, driven by waves of violence.
Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said that the largest exodus took place in August 2017, when one million Rohingya fled brutal violence and attacks by security forces, likened to a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing”.
The flood-affected areas of Bago, Kayin and Mon states, more than 85,000 people have been affected, with homes destroyed, roads cut off and emergency services overstretched.
UN relief partners reported significant shortages of food, safe drinking water and medical supplies.
In Taungoo district (Bago) alone, three flood-related deaths have been confirmed, while six more people reportedly died in a landslide in Shan state.
“The pathway out of the deteriorating situation in Myanmar requires an end to the violence and unimpeded access for relief workers and supplies,” Mr. Haq stressed.
He noted that health systems are also under acute strain.
WHO humanitarian bulletin led Health Cluster warned that floodwaters are driving spikes in acute watery diarrhoea, dengue and malaria.
There are deep concerns over outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, and polio is increasing due to low immunization rates and poor hygiene conditions in overcrowded camps.
WHO has verified 27 attacks on healthcare facilities this year, with other monitoring groups reporting over 140 additional incidents.
UN said that severe funding shortages exacerbated by cuts in United States funding – have forced the suspension of services at 65 health facilities and 38 mobile clinics across Myanmar.
Services at a 28 mobile clinics have been scaled down.
Mr. Haq said “The Secretary-General reiterates his concern over the military’s plan to hold elections amid ongoing conflict and human rights violations, and without conditions that would permit the people of Myanmar to freely and peacefully exercise their political rights,”.
He recalled Security Council Resolution 2669, adopted in 2022, which called for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained prisoners, including President Win Myint and Aung San Suu Kyi; upholding democratic institutions and processes; and pursuing in constructive dialogue and reconciliation in accordance with the will and interests of the people of Myanmar.
UN said despite the volatility and access constraints, UN agencies remain committed to reach affected populations.
Some 306,000 people had received health services in 59 earthquake-hit townships 67 per cent of the target population, reflecting the limited funding and security challenges faced by aid workers.
“The United Nations is committed to staying and delivering in Myanmar,” Mr. Haq affirmed, “and to working with all stakeholders, including ASEAN and other regional actors, to attain sustainable peace.”
