Guterres Urges Global Support for Myanmar to Conclude Brutal Civil War
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Synopsis
United Nations, April 4 (NationPress) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for international aid for earthquake-affected Myanmar and emphasized the necessity of using this tragic moment to resolve the ongoing civil conflict.
Key Takeaways
- International support is crucial for Myanmar's recovery.
- Transforming tragedy into an opportunity for peace is essential.
- Ceasefire must lead to dialogue and political solutions.
- 17 million people affected by recent earthquake.
- Human rights violations must cease for democracy to flourish.
United Nations, April 4 (NationPress) While urging for international aid for the earthquake-stricken Myanmar, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the need to convert this “tragic moment” into a chance to resolve the brutal civil conflict.
He appealed to the global community to urgently increase funding to address the scale of this crisis.
To the government and citizens of Myanmar, he remarked, “as they unite in grief, it’s also time to unite behind a political solution to end the brutal conflict”.
“Violence and human rights violations must cease across the nation, and a pathway to democracy must be established,” he stated while addressing reporters at the UN on Thursday.
Guterres revealed that he is dispatching Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher to Myanmar, and his Special Envoy Julie Bishop will visit the nation “to reinforce our commitment to peace and dialogue”.
India has already initiated “Operation Brahma” following the earthquake, delivering relief supplies and personnel to Myanmar, the epicenter of the March 28 disaster.
Guterres noted, “The death toll has risen to 3,000 and continues to climb – with thousands injured and many trapped under debris. This calamity has exposed the deeper vulnerabilities facing people throughout the country”.
He reiterated that as communities across Myanmar come together in mourning, it’s also time to rally behind a political resolution to conclude the brutal conflict.
Welcoming the temporary ceasefire between the military government and the civil war rebels, he remarked, “This is crucial to facilitate aid delivery and allow rescuers to perform their duties. However, an end to hostilities must swiftly lead to a commencement of serious political dialogue and the liberation of political prisoners”.
He added that the ceasefire should pave the way for an inclusive political process where all citizens of Myanmar feel represented.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that the earthquake has impacted over 17 million people.
Myanmar is currently governed by the military, which ousted the democratically elected administration in 2021.
The regime remains unrecognized, and the representatives of the civilian government continue to occupy Myanmar’s seat at the UN.
