MANDALAY (UCAN): Some volunteer groups have halted aid distribution to earthquake victims in Myanmar because of severe restrictions imposed by the military junta, according to an April 9 report from Radio Free Asia [RFA].
The junta is reportedly blocking search and rescue teams and aid groups from entering the worst-affected Sagaing-Mandalay regions as well as Shan state. Military personnel have been using security checkpoints to prevent people from entering. The report noted that those wanting to distribute aid should obtain permission by undergoing a strict registration process.
“They [aid groups] can’t do anything. We’re distraught that those who could help us are treated like this. Now, it’s just the public looking out for each other,” said an official from a volunteer group in Mandalay who requested anonymity.
“This isn’t working for us, so we want to say that we have stopped,” he said, according to RFA.
A top junta official insisted that international groups seeking to help the victims must be “approved” by the authorities.
They [aid groups] can’t do anything. We’re distraught that those who could help us are treated like this. Now, it’s just the public looking out for each other
“Relief teams are not permitted to operate independently, regardless of other organisations,” the junta’s deputy prime minister, General Soe Win said.
“A policy will be implemented to ensure that permission is granted only in cooperation with relevant officials,” he said.
Official data shows the death toll from the March 28 earthquake climbed over 3,600, injured another 5,000, and 148 people are still missing.
In Mandalay, 39 people were killed after the 7.7-magnitude quake flattened the 117-year-old Ma Soe Yein Monastery. It led to the collapse of 12 buildings on the site.
In Sagaing city, residents say slow the rescue response increased the toll. The aid delay will add to people’s woes, they say.
However, volunteer agencies expressed an inability to work under the junta.
If they want us to work under them, we can’t do anything at all. We’ll only donate if we can give it directly to people
“If they want us to work under them, we can’t do anything at all. We’ll only donate if we can give it directly to people,” said an unnamed official from another volunteer organisation.
More than 10 aid groups in the Sagaing and Mandalay regions and Shan state told RFA they were forced to temporarily stop their relief efforts.
“The reality is that no organisation, local or international, dares to approach the Disaster Management Committee to request aid deliveries. There’s fear, bureaucracy, and distrust. As a result, a major aid delivery bottleneck is forming,” another aid worker told AsiaNews.
One Mandalay resident expressed fear that the junta’s actions may result in international organisations rescinding their support for earthquake victims.
“My house collapsed. If I go to the community centre for basic items I need, I can’t get them because the officers have stolen them,” he said, adding, “The government hasn’t been supporting us at all, and I don’t know if any more charity will continue to come from them.”
The junta has not released any additional information on the restrictions. On April 5, it said it would prevent groups from entering the country for “negative purposes by exploiting the earthquake.”
The junta has been urged to loosen restrictions to facilitate aid distribution.
