Secretary-General's remarks to the press on the Myanmar Earthquake

Last week’s earthquake in Southeast Asia hit the region hard – in places like Thailand and elsewhere.

But especially in the epicentre of Myanmar.

Myanmar today is the scene of utter devastation and desperation.

The death toll is now 3,000 and climbing – with thousands injured, and many trapped under the rubble.

This disaster has laid bare the deeper vulnerabilities facing people throughout the country.

Even before the earthquake, Myanmar was beset by political, human rights and humanitarian crises – hurting people, spilling over to neighbouring countries and the wider region, and opening the door to transnational crime.

Nearly 20 million people — or one in every three in Myanmar — required already humanitarian aid.

Millions had already fled their homes from conflict and violence.

The earthquake has supercharged the suffering – with the monsoon season just around the corner.

We need rapid action on several fronts.

I am announcing today that I am sending our Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, to Myanmar.  He will be on the ground tomorrow.

I am also sending my Special Envoy, Julie Bishop, to visit the country in the coming days to reinforce our commitment to peace and dialogue.

I appeal, in particular, to the international community to immediately step up vitally needed funding to match the scale of this crisis.  

I appeal for rapid, safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access to reach those most in need across the country.

And I appeal for every effort to transform this tragic moment into an opportunity for the people of Myanmar.
 
I welcome the announcements of temporary ceasefires.  

This is essential to help aid flow and let rescuers do their jobs.

But an end of fighting must quickly lead to a beginning of a serious political dialogue and the release of political prisoners.

Specifically, an inclusive political process where all the people of Myanmar feel represented.

As communities across Myanmar unite in grief, it’s also time to unite behind a political solution to end the brutal conflict.

This solution must include a pathway for the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of the Rohingya from Bangladesh, whom I had the honour of visiting last month in Cox’s Bazar.

It must include an end to the violence and human rights violations across the country and a pathway for democracy to take root.

Now is the time to stand in solidarity with the long-suffering people of Myanmar.

The United Nations will keep pushing for peace and lifesaving support for the people of Myanmar in their hour of need.

Thank you.

MYANMAR/HUMANITARIAN

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) today appealed for $17.3 million to respond to the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on 28 March, leaving hundreds of thousands of people in critical need of humanitarian assistance.   
IOM and local partners are working around the clock to collect information on the impact of the earthquake.  
In coordination with local authorities and partners, IOM is prioritizing the delivery of emergency shelter kits, multipurpose cash assistance, essential healthcare, safe drinking water, hygiene kits, and psychosocial support for affected families. IOM also aims to support local authorities in managing displacement sites, ensuring displaced communities have access to essential services and protection.  
For its part, The World Food Programme has ongoing food assistance operations in the hardest-hit areas of Mandalay, Naypyitaw, Sagaing and Shan. 
WFP has reached nearly 4,000 people with food rations in conflict-hit Sagaing, already home to a third of Myanmar’s internally displaced population before the earthquake. 
At the epicentre in Mandalay, WFP has distributed fortified biscuits to more than 15,000 people since 1 April. WFP also reached 480 households - about 2,400 people - in Sein Pan, one of the poorest and worst-impacted ward in Mandalay, where almost every resident lost their home due to the earthquake and a subsequent fire.

WFP aims to reach 100,000 people with ready-to-eat food in the first phase of response, followed by food assistance for 850,000 people for one month.
WFP said it urgently needs $40 million to support 850,000 people affected by the earthquake.

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that hostilities continue across Gaza, with more civilians killed and injured and critical infrastructure damaged.
More displacement orders were issued, again forcing people to flee in search of safety. As of yesterday, some 280,000 people are estimated to have been newly displaced since the intensification of hostilities on 18 March.
Increasing numbers of people are moving into the remaining shelters which are already overcrowded.  Infestations of fleas and mites are reported, causing skin rashes and other health issues. OCHA says that addressing these challenges remains difficult due to the lack of necessary materials available in Gaza to implement vector control measures or improve hygiene conditions.
The UN and its humanitarian partners continue to respond to the immense needs of the population as the conditions allow.
Meanwhile, food security partners are focusing on the provision of hot meals, providing over 900,000 meals per day. But, as reported earlier, the blockade on the entry of all humanitarian aid and essential goods since 2 March is depriving the population of the basics for survival, while food assistance inside Gaza is rapidly running out.
OCHA urges the immediate reopening of the crossings for the cargo and humanitarian aid to be allowed to enter into Gaza. 

SECURITY COUNCIL 
This morning, the Special Representative and head of the UN office for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simão, briefed the Security Council.
As he presented his latest report, he highlighted his recent engagements in the region, starting with a visit to Nigeria during which stakeholders stressed the need for continued diplomatic efforts and financial support to maintain the Joint Multinational Force (JMF), which is currently the only operational security mechanism in the region. He told council members that despite continuing good offices aimed at maintaining the integrity of this coalition, Niger recently announced its withdrawal from the task force, at a time when security is the main concern in the region, even though significant investments in military resources and cross-border cooperation have been able to reinforce state authority in certain areas of the central Sahel.
However, Mr. Simao added, progress is fragile across the region as a whole, not least because of the intensification of terrorist attacks in the northern border areas, mainly targeting the coastal states of Benin and Togo.
Turning to Mali, the Special Representative said that during a recent visit there, the authorities invited the United Nations to support upcoming elections, assuring him that preparations are moving forward. He added that the appointment of a minister in charge of elections, a budget allocation for elections, and the review of the voter registration signal progress towards a return to constitutional order.    
In Guinea, Mr. Simao said, the transitional authorities have reiterated their intention to organize elections by the end of this year, following adoption of a new constitution and conduct of a general census.
These are positive commitments that deserve encouragement and support, he told Council Members. 

SOUTH SUDAN
In South Sudan, high-level talks are underway to try and prevent further escalation between forces aligned with the two main parties to the 2018 peace deal tipping the fragile country back into civil war.
Meetings are underway in Juba between South Sudan's political leaders and regional Heads of States as well as the African Union Panel of the Wise, whose members arrived yesterday in Juba. 
During a discussion with the Panel, Nicholas Haysom, the head of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, UNMISS, stressed the importance of urgent collective engagement by regional and international partners to help end the hostilities, prevent a relapse into widespread violence and secure a return to the peace agreement.
He also highlighted the need for political detainees to be released and for new measures to build trust and confidence between the parties.
On the security front, the UNMISS Force Commander, Lieutenant-General Mohan Subramanian discussed options for joint UN/South Sudan efforts to normalize the security situation with the Presidential Advisor on National Security Affairs.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that ongoing violence in North and South Kivu provinces continues to kill, injure and displace civilians.
In North Kivu, intense clashes between local armed groups and the M23 group have been reported today in the town of Masisi Centre. Preliminary reports from our local partners indicate at least two civilian fatalities and multiple injuries, with several wounded evacuated to Masisi General Hospital. 
Partners report that civilians remain confined to their homes due to active crossfire, heightening fear and restricting movement.
The volatility of frontlines and ongoing combat have rendered comprehensive assessments impossible.
In eastern Masisi, partners continue to deliver critical assistance to displaced and returnee populations where security permits. For example, since yesterday, partners have been distributing household and hygiene kits to more than 500 displaced households in Sake’s collective center. Since 20 February, partners have also rehabilitated 19 of 24 water points in Sake, restoring clean water access for over 4,000 households.
In South Kivu, fresh clashes erupted on 1 April in Fizi Territory between local armed groups and the M23. The villages of Mulima and Lusuku – already hosting thousands of displaced families – were struck by violence, forcing civilians to flee again to safer areas.
Meanwhile, partners report that the province of Tanganyika faces a rapidly escalating cholera epidemic. As of yesterday, 9 out of 11 health zones are affected, with more than 1,450 confirmed cases and 27 deaths recorded since January – a six-fold increase compared to last year.
Underlying drivers include severely limited access to clean water (less than 20 per cent coverage in affected areas) and inadequate healthcare capacity for case management. 

SYRIA
The UN Special Envoy for Syria Mr. Geir Pedersen condemns the repeated and intensifying military escalations by Israel in Syria, including airstrikes that have reportedly resulted in civilian casualties. “Such actions undermine efforts to build a new Syria at peace with itself and the region, and destabilize Syria at a sensitive time,” he said in a statement. 
The Special Envoy called on Israel to cease these attacks which could amount to serious violations of international law and respect Syria’s sovereignty and existing agreements, and also to cease unilateral actions on the ground. 
He urges all parties to prioritize diplomatic solutions and dialogue to address security concerns and prevent further escalation.