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Myanmar’s multi-dimensional crises have ‘increasingly deepened and expanded significantly’ – Global Issues

Noeleen Heyzer said that since she took the job six months ago, Myanmar has “continued to be plunged into deep and widespread conflict”.

Already one of the world’s largest refugee emergencies, she recalls that multi-faceted crises have resulted in more than a million internally displaced people (IDPs) across the country with “discrimination”. seriously dispersed regionally and internationally”.

Nearly a million Rohingya Muslims live mainly in refugee camps in neighboring Bangladesh, and hundreds of thousands more are scattered throughout the region.

The ‘disillusioned’ generation

This crisis has resulted in the collapse of State institutions, disruption of economic and social infrastructure – including health, education, banking, food security and employment – and increased crime and illegal activities.

And in the past five years, the number of people living in poverty has doubled, making up half of the population.

Today, 14.4 million people, or a quarter of Myanmar’s population, urgently require humanitarian assistance.

At the same time, after COVID-19 During the pandemic and political crisis, school enrollment fell by 80% in two years, leaving at least 7.8 million children out of school.

“A generation that has benefited from democratic transition is now disillusioned, faced with the constant and tragic hardship that many feel they have no choice but to embrace,” she warned. weapons”.

Conflict, norms

As military violence and distrust continue to grow, including against peaceful protesters, armed conflict “has become the norm” for all Burmese.

“The military continues to use disproportionate force, intensifying attacks on civilians and increasing operations against resistance forces, using aerial bombings,” the senior UN official said. . “Civilian buildings and villages have been destroyed by fire and internally displaced populations have been attacked.”

Meanwhile, it is reported that as many as 600 armed resistance groups, or “people’s self-defense forces”, are involved in the fighting, with some carrying out assassinations against people deemed “supporters of the people”. army”.

Protesters take part in a march against the military coup in Myanmar.

Unsplash / Pyae Sone Htun

Protesters take part in a march against the military coup in Myanmar.

Feeling abandoned

Ms. Heyzer said she is continuing to work closely with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to de-escalate the conflict.

However, she points out that the continued, regional and broader differences between UN Member States, “have left the people of Myanmar feeling abandoned in their time of need”.

“I will continue to act as a bridge…in Myanmar, in the region and in the international community, to address the protection needs and suffering of the most vulnerable, and to support the will of the people. people for a future federal democratic union based on peace, stability and shared prosperity. ”

Remembering the Rohingya

The instability and conflict put vulnerable communities at greater risk, including the Rohingya.

The Special Envoy developed a multi-dimensional strategy focused on humanitarian and protective needs; return to civilian rule; effective and democratic governance; and lasting solutions for the Rohingya – most of whom fled after a violent crackdown by Government forces in 2017, characterized by the then UN human rights chief as a text book example on ethnic cleansing.

“Sustainable solutions for the Rohingya must be built within the design of a peaceful, inclusive and democratic Myanmar,” she said.

‘Facing human tragedy’

In direct contact with the Burmese people, Ms. Heyzer said: “I have learned the face of the human tragedy behind these numbers.”

Rohingya refugee women shared with her how prolonged camp relocation in Bangladesh and elsewhere has affected their daily lives and limited opportunities for skills-building and livelihoods.

They also mentioned that Cox’s Bazar camping shops and community-run learning centers were closed.

“Women also told me about the many protected risks women and girls face, including trafficking, child marriage and sexual violence,” she said. “They describe how a lack of accountability normalizes violence against women and girls in the camps.”

A young girl in Myanmar has her education interrupted because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

© UNICEF / Min Zayar Oo

A young girl in Myanmar has her education interrupted because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sustainable solutions

Ms. Heyzer advocated for “humanitarian action, peace and integrated and inclusive development” to strengthen rights and support the Rohingya.

Turning to the Rakhine Advisory Committee, which aims to improve conditions in Rakhine state, where many Rohingya flee north across the border, she told the General Assembly that she supported their recommendations for changes. change at both the “vertical” level – regarding de-facto government, pro-democracy organizations and a separatist nationalist militia known as the Arakan Army – and “horizontal forces”, such as grassroots initiatives to promote inclusion peaceful and equal coexistence for all.

Ultimately, she said, it is “Myanmar’s responsibility” to address these fundamental problems.

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