UN concerned over ongoing hostilities in Myanmar

UN concerned over ongoing hostilities in Myanmar

M Mushfiqul Fazal

The United Nations is concerned over the ongoing hostilities that continue to endanger the safety of civilians .in Myanmar

Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, made the remark at noon briefing on Tuesday.

He said, “More than 1.1 million people have now been newly displaced by conflict and insecurity since the military took over in February 2021, bringing the total number of internally displaced people to more than 1.4 million. In the States of Rakhine and southern Chin, indiscriminate attacks impacting civilians, the use of landmines and mortar shelling and new access restrictions since the renewed fighting between the Myanmar Armed Forces and the Arakan Army are putting people’s lives in danger and preventing life‑saving assistance from reaching people in need.”

Farhan Haq furher said, “In addition to the conflict, the costs of basic commodities continue to compromise food security. An estimated 15.2 million people are now severely and moderately food insecure. As of last week, the Humanitarian Response Plan was only 22 per cent funded, leaving a gap of $643 million.”

Consequently, partners are being forced to prioritize assistance to people in most need and there are shortages of stocks in some parts of the country, he added.

MN/