Note to Correspondents - Response to Questions on Myanmar

The earthquake has laid bare the deeper vulnerabilities facing Myanmar’s people and underscored the need for sustained international attention to the broader crisis. All sides must urgently allow space for humanitarian relief and ensure that aid workers can operate in safety.

Continuing military operations in disaster-affected areas risks further loss of life and undermines the shared imperative to respond.

The Special Envoy condemns any form of violence and calls on all parties to the conflict to immediately cease hostilities and focus their efforts on the protection of civilians, including aid workers, and the delivery of life-saving assistance.

With her visit to India last week, the Special Envoy has concluded her first tour of all Myanmar’s neighboring countries. These consultations highlighted both a shared regional concern and the potential for greater coordination to support access and assistance.

The Special Envoy will return to the region very soon to advocate for a coherent, inclusive and principled response to the fall-out from the earthquake and the widening regional implications from the political crisis. She will continue to cooperate closely with the ASEAN Special Envoy.

The Special Envoy remains in close contact with the Emergency Relief Coordinator and the UN Country Team in Myanmar who are working in partnership with neighboring countries and others, supported by the UN’s regional and global network.

A number of countries including Myanmar’s neighbors and ASEAN mechanisms have provided immediate support. The Special Envoy appeals to Member States and other donors to swiftly provide flexible funding to scale up the response.

Safe and unimpeded access to affected populations and areas must be provided through all available channels and actors in line with international humanitarian principles, and regardless of territorial control. Community-based responders – many operating in hard-to-reach areas – will play a critical role in the days ahead. A pathway to reconciliation requires an end to violence and unfettered access for the UN and its partners to address humanitarian needs, especially among the most vulnerable and marginalised.