MENU
back
en
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. INGOs Call for an End to Violence Against Civilians Including Children and Warn of Imminent Humanitarian Crisis

INGOs Call for an End to Violence Against Civilians Including Children and Warn of Imminent Humanitarian Crisis

Myanmar
06.04.2021
As INGOs working in Myanmar, we condemn the Myanmar military’s widespread use of deadly violence against civilians. We are deeply concerned that since 1 Feb 2021, 550 civilians have been killed, including 46 children (According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners AAPP). This violence escalated even further on Saturday, 27 March, when at least 114 people were killed in a single day. Over the same weekend, airstrikes were launched by the Myanmar military in Kayin/Karen State, killing civilians and forcing around 10,000 people to flee their homes. These horrific acts of violence must stop immediately.

We are deeply concerned by the dire humanitarian consequences of this crisis. Obstacles to access vital health services for those injured, or persons with chronic disease, increase the risk of long term impairment, and represent a further challenge for Covid-19 response. The occupation of education and healthcare facilities across the country undermines the right to education and health.

We renew our call on armed forces and police to refrain from all forms of violence against civilians, peaceful protestors, journalists, and media workers and to respect the fundamental human rights of all people in Myanmar, including freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of speech, and free flow of information.

We remain committed to working with our civil society partners and supporting communities with urgently needed assistance to meet their immediate basic needs and with programmes that build greater resilience over the longer term. The political crisis is creating new vulnerabilities, increased humanitarian needs and deepening poverty across the country. The lives, livelihoods and rights of civilians must be protected.

We urgently call for all stakeholders to use all possible diplomatic channels, forums and means to:

  • Ensure civilians are protected from indiscriminate violence, and provide refuge and protection to those fleeing for safety, in line with international law
  • Respect and facilitate unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance for communities in need across Myanmar
  • Urgently find a peaceful solution to this crisis, together with the people of Myanmar.

 

Action Aid

AVI AVSI Foundation

BBC Media Action

CARE International in Myanmar

CDN-ZOA

Centre for Development and Environment

ChildFund Myanmar

Christian Aid

Church World Service

Community Partners International

Cord Cordaid

Danish Refugee Council

Democracy Reporting International

Energy and Poverty Research Group

Fauna & Flora International

Finnish Refugee Council

Gret

HelpAge International

Helvetas

Humanity & Inclusion / Handicap International Federation

International Alert

International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

MA-UK

Médecins du Monde France

Mercy Corps

Norwegian People’s Aid

Oxfam International

Pathfinder International

People in Need

Plan International

PSI

Save the Children

Solidarites International

SWISSAID

Swisscontact

The Border Consortium

The Freedom Fund

VSO

Welthungerhilfe

World Vision

Yangon Film School