Recommendation 18

HM Government Acknowledged

The humanitarian situation in Myanmar is dire. The UN estimates that 220,000 people have been displaced since 1 February. Military blockades are creating severe restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian assistance. The UN World Food Programme is warning that 3.4 million people could be food insecure in six months. The World Bank’s recent report on the economic situation forecasts an 18% cut in the economy this financial year and estimates the number of people living in poverty is expected to double compared to 2019. UK funding is contributing to the analytical work, which underpins the shared understanding of these needs. The UK has a twin track approach on access: i) We directly support the UN approach on access (we funded access specialists and the UN’s access tracker and have repeatedly raised concerns about restrictions on humanitarian access at the UNSC); ii) On the ground we increasingly work through networks of civil society organisations and national NGOs. This has ensured UK aid continues to meet the needs of some vulnerable people, even when others have been unable to. We have repeatedly raised our concerns about Myanmar’s humanitarian outlook with international partners, including at the UN Security Council, UN General Assembly and in our engagement with ASEAN and other partners. At the same time, the UK has shown practical leadership on the humanitarian response. We have programmed and reprioritised over £15.3m of humanitarian support in response to the coup. We are working through a range of partners including the UN, ICRC, international and national NGOs, ethnic health organisations and local civil society to reach affected communities. We are providing £11m to support access to basic health care including COVID support.