Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the Junta leader of the coup has directed the relevant ministries to strictly supervise NGOs and INGOs operations in Myanmar which appears to be a move towardsa further clampdown on the capacity of NGOs based in Myanmar to distribute aid.
Communities struggling with the severe impacts of conflicts and natural disasters are concerned that the directive issued by the Junta Chief may further impede their ability to access humanitarian aid. Humanitarian aid organizations are already restricted to operating solely in areas sanctioned by the Military Council and have not been granted access to restricted regions. The Junta has suspended all new applications from aid organizations seeking to operate in Myanmar.
"Previously, we could visit Saetipyin, but now we've been told it's off-limits. They've also instructed us to coordinate aid efforts through the township administrator's office”, a local source close to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) told DMG.
Initially, ICRC had permission to offer humanitarian assistance in refugee camps within Rathedaung Township, Rakhine State, but as of June, this aid has been prohibited. "His instructions might worsen the situation for those in need”, an aid worker from a Rakhine-based NGO told DMG.
The situation in storm-affected Rakhine State during this monsoon season, following Cyclone Mocha, could worsen if the operations of NGOs and INGOs are further restricted, as the local residents urgently require tarpaulin sheets and construction materials for temporary shelters.
Before this new directive humanitarian aid organizations have been restricted to operating solely in areas sanctioned by the Military Council, and have not been granted access to restricted regions. The Military Council has suspended the new applications from aid organizations seeking to operate in Myanmar.
Critics argue that the Military Council should enhance its own efforts to provide effective humanitarian assistance to those displaced by conflicts and affected by natural disasters, while also permitting the participation of other INGOs, NGOs, and CSOs in aid operations.
“So far, we have not received any assistance from any organization. The Military Council has only provided us with one pyi of rice, and we have yet to receive support from any international organization”, said U Wai Tun Thein, elder of Tun Yawei (old) village.
Despite the Military Council's stringent bans and restrictions, the people of Rakhine State, grappling with multiple challenges such as floods, cyclones, and conflict, continue to hold hope for aid from international organizations
