The UN chief’s call comes as aid agencies warn that millions of people across Myanmar remain in acute need, especially in the north, southeast and Rakhine state. Their plight has been exacerbated by heavy rainfall and catastrophic flooding, amid a lack of humanitarian access and insufficient funding for emergency response.
“The humanitarian situation has spiraled. A third of the population is in urgent need of humanitarian aid. Millions have been forced to flee their homes,” Mr Guterres said told a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). “I support strengthened cooperation between the UN Special Envoy and the ASEAN Chair on innovative ways to advance a Myanmar-led process.”
The key to peace in Myanmar will be the effective implementation of ASEAN’s “Five-Point Consensus”, the secretary-general said, referring to the bloc’s plan that calls for an immediate end to violence, dialogue between all sides and increased humanitarian assistance includes.
Dire needs for assistance
According to the UN Aid Coordination Office OCHAMore than three million people have been displaced across Myanmar, mainly after fleeing “widespread” conflict that has caused “tremendous humanitarian needs”, especially in the north, southeast and Rakhine State.
Since early September, a million people have also been affected by heavy monsoon rains and the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi. Reports say at least 360 people have died in the floods and many more have been injured in multiple regions.
There are also major concerns about rising hunger after crops have been flooded and livestock washed away, destroying the livelihoods of vulnerable communities.
Local volunteers are clearing areas where water has receded, but persistent rain and swollen rivers threaten further flooding, OCHA said.
To date, the relief effort has provided food to more than 150,000 people in the southeast, northwest and Rakhine State; there are plans to reach a further 73,000 people in the South East. More than 80,000 people in the Northwest have received water, sanitation and hygiene relief supplies, along with shelter materials and other non-food items.
Despite the challenges faced by aid workers in Myanmar, 40 percent of the 5.3 million people in need of support received some form of humanitarian assistance in the first half of the year.
OCHA underlined the key role played by national and local partners who have worked closely with communities and provided “a lifeline” of support. Much more could be done if funding could be found, the UN agency said, noting that 10 months into the year the $1 billion response plan is severely underfunded, at less than 30 percent.