.jpeg)
 |
| Image Credit: Free Malaysia Today |
The United Nations reported on Tuesday that there has been no evidence of aid blockage following the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, which has tragically claimed the lives of over 2,000 individuals in this conflict-stricken nation.
Four days after the powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck, humanitarian efforts are facing significant challenges, with growing concerns that attacks and obstructions could impede the delivery of essential assistance.
However, the UN humanitarian agency firmly stated that it has not observed any signs of deliberate aid blockage. Marcoluigi Corsi, the UN resident humanitarian coordinator in Myanmar, emphasized, “We have been able to provide assistance to the people.” He reassured reporters in Geneva, speaking via video link from Yangon, that “The distribution of different items is ongoing, and so far we haven’t experienced any blockage.”
According to Myanmar's junta, as of Monday, 2,056 fatalities have been confirmed, with over 3,900 injuries and 270 individuals still unaccounted for. The tragedy extends beyond Myanmar’s borders, with at least 20 lives lost in neighboring Thailand.
Unfortunately, the death toll is expected to rise as rescuers reach isolated towns and villages, where communication has been severely disrupted by the quake. Julia Rees, the deputy Myanmar representative for UNICEF, highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, “The destruction is immense... The needs are massive and they are rising by the hour.” She cautioned that “The window for life-saving response is closing, and across the affected areas, families are facing acute shortages of clean water, food, and medical supplies.”
It is imperative to halt attacks. Even prior to the earthquake, nearly 20 million people in Myanmar were in desperate need of humanitarian aid, including more than 6.5 million children, as per UN statistics. Corsi noted that the UN estimates over 3.5 million individuals were already internally displaced, with fears that this number could exceed five million this year.
The ongoing brutal civil war, which erupted in 2021 after the military junta ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government, complicates recovery efforts. The relentless fighting between the military and a diverse array of anti-junta forces has left Myanmar’s infrastructure and economy in ruins.
Allegations of the junta continuing air attacks post-quake have sparked severe criticism, including from the UN special rapporteur for Myanmar, Tom Andrews, who has called for an immediate cessation of military attacks. The UN refugee agency is actively working on the ground to identify the most urgent needs in the severely affected areas, highlighting the critical demand for shelter.
Spokesman Babar Baloch also raised concerns about the dangers posed by explosive ordnance likely buried in quake-affected regions. He stressed the need to monitor issues related to “family separation, child protection, and gender-based violence.”
Meanwhile, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has warned that soaring temperatures, reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), are exacerbating the crisis. They have made an urgent appeal for 100 million Swiss francs ($113 million) to support around 100,000 individuals in the impacted areas.
Corsi pointed out that humanitarian aid to Myanmar has been “chronically underfunded for years,” with less than five percent of the $1.1 billion requested by the UN this year actually received. It’s time to rally support and ensure that aid reaches those who need it most!