A devastating typhoon that originated in the South China Sea in early 2024 has triggered torrential rains, extensive flooding, and landslides across Myanmar. Areas severely affected include Shan State, Karenni State, Chin State, Karen State, as well as the Mandalay, Bago, Sagaing, and Magwe regions. The northern part of Thailand also experienced the impact of this natural disaster.
The combination of continuous heavy rainfall over three days and the release of water from dams and reservoirs has resulted in hundreds of casualties and left many missing. Nearly 700,000 people have been directly affected, with homes destroyed, properties lost, vital infrastructure damaged, and agricultural lands inundated. The floodwaters have also claimed numerous farm animals, leading to severe losses in essential water and food resources.
In response to this crisis, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management (MoHADM) of the National Unity Government (NUG), along with the Karen National Union (KNU), the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), and the Chin National Front (CNF), are fully mobilizing their resources to provide emergency relief and response operations for the affected communities.
The immediate needs include food, clean water, basic supplies, and shelter. Additionally, essential services such as healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene are required, alongside agricultural support for recovery. The reconstruction of homes and the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure are paramount in the coming days.
To address this dire situation, we urgently call on the international community, including the United Nations, the European Union, ASEAN, as well as global and local humanitarian organizations, to consider the following:
- Ensure emergency humanitarian assistance and healthcare reach the affected populations fairly and without discrimination.
- Directly support personnel designated by the MoHADM, Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations (EROs), and local civil society organizations (CSOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) working on the ground.
- Ensure that humanitarian aid is not politicized or used as a tool in conflicts.
- Provide both short-term relief and long-term support, ranging from emergency aid to rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.
- Advocate for international donors to extend financial support despite global funding challenges, as the people of Myanmar endure both natural and human-made disasters.
- Transparently inform the public about international assistance being directed to flood-affected populations.
- Prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable groups, adhering to the core humanitarian principle of “Humanitarian Imperative.”
- Manage and monitor the distribution of aid effectively and systematically.
We stand in solidarity with the affected communities during this challenging time and deeply sympathize with the losses and hardships they are enduring. We express our sincere gratitude to the civil society organizations and individuals who are working tirelessly to provide flood relief. Together, we reaffirm our commitment to responding to and recovering from the widespread devastation caused by these floods.
For more information, please contact:
Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management (MoHADM)
Email: mohadm@nugmyanmar.org
