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Testimony from Sagaing: Military obstructing the work of aid workers
A humanitarian worker talks to AsiaNews about the situation in the areas affected by the earthquake that struck in late March. The military often blocks loads, fuelling fear and uncertainty. The regime, committed to rebuilding its own facilities instead of bringing relief to the population, would like to hide the displaced. No coordinated effort is being made to pull out the dead from the rubble. The needs are huge, but “with the right support, we can reach the most vulnerable.”
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Yangon (AsiaNews) – Following the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that hit Myanmar on 28 March, the situation is very “deeply concerning – both in terms of humanitarian needs and human rights risks, especially in informal displacement sites,” yet in the areas most affected by the earthquake “we haven’t seen any government presence,” said Catherine (not her real name), a humanitarian worker who in recent weeks visited Mandalay and Sagaing, some of the regions most affected by the quake and the ongoing civil war that began more than four years between the putschist army and armed resistance groups.
After the earthquake, bodies like UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the World Food Programme (WFP), and Caritas began working together to deliver aid. Despite the commitment of international organisations, the military regime, which has banned foreign visitors and media, continues to complicate operations.
“The Ministry of Relief and Resettlement has recently informed aid organisations to cooperate strictly with their directives,” Catherine explained. “An official based in Naypyidaw mentioned that, soon, all displaced persons in visible or accessible locations would be required to relocate to more hidden or remote areas on their own. That’s extremely concerning.”
Uncertainty continues to hamper aid distribution. “The authorities now require that all foreign aid be delivered to the Disaster Management Committee (DMC). But the reality is that no organisation, local or international, dares to approach the DMC to request aid deliveries. There’s fear, bureaucracy, and distrust. As a result, a major aid delivery bottleneck is forming.”
In addition to logistical problems, military control and intimidation are an added factor. “When foreign aid – especially items like WFP-packaged biscuits – is transported, it often prompts questioning or scrutiny from checkpoint personnel. This intimidates aid workers and slows down the process.”
There is also no shortage of staffing difficulties. “Sadly, we don’t have enough volunteers to cover the wide area and growing needs. This is one of our biggest operational challenges,” Catherine explained.
Despite the challenges, humanitarian personnel are working hard to reach all affected communities, regardless of religion.
“We’ve focused much of our support on Muslim communities, particularly in Mandalay, because they have been disproportionately affected," said the aid worker. “Many Muslim men were gathered for prayers at the time of the quake and were among the casualties.”
The earthquake occurred on the last Friday of Ramadan. Videos posed online following the tragedy show that, in addition to Buddhist temples, several mosques also collapsed, causing the death of hundreds of worshippers who had gathered in prayer.
The regime, however, does not seem to have people among its priorities. “The junta administration is rebuilding their administrative offices instead of helping the disaster victims. This has created frustration and feelings of neglect,” Catherine noted.
Making matters worse, “very little has been done in terms of collecting the dead. This is a serious issue. It impacts not just the dignity of the deceased, but also the mental and emotional well-being of their families.”
“For now, people aren’t asking for psychosocial support – they’re focused on survival. But we know from experience that trauma will surface in the coming weeks," Catherine said. She hopes that, despite the difficulties, “delivery is not politicized, and no community is left behind.”
Ultimately, for her, while “The needs are overwhelming, with the right support, we can reach the most vulnerable.”
To respond to the humanitarian emergency, the PIME Foundation has decided to launch a fundraiser for Myanmar. We will send aid to them, starting with people’s basic needs, like shelter, food, and schooling for children.
To make a donation for Emergency Aid for Myanmar (10122) click here.
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11/05/2023 13:51
