Humanitarian aid was part of the ASEAN 5-point consensus. 12 months later, ASEAN has not established any program. It has always been clear that the military regime is not a reliable partner to deliver any sort of humanitarian aid. This week, the junta seized 80 vehicles belonging to charities in Sagaing, blocking any help to innocent internally displaced people. Similar attempts to block aid have been widely reported in Karen and Chin State as well.
Moreover the military regime wanted to tax humanitarian assistance (!!), which is absolutely ridiculous.
The only reliable way, is through civil society organizations, established charities and ethnic armed organizations. These have been operating in Myanmar for decades and can be fully trusted.
It’s time for ASEAN and the international community, to seriously engage with democratic forces.
POLITICS, ECONOMY AND OTHER NEWS
• As movie theaters reopened recently, after two years of closure due to the Covid Pandemic and the military coup, the military regime admits it did not go as expected, and that the number of spectators has been low. Since the military coup, the military regime is using all means possible, including censorship and bans, to control the media. Satellite dishes, for example, have been banned, and civilians can only watch military-controlled TV channels.
• Malaysia’s foreign minister criticized for the absence of the UN Special envoy to Myanmar Noleen Heyzer during the ASEAN meeting on humanitarian aid. The reason for her absence is that the Burmese military does not want to engage with her.
CHIN STATE
• Mindat: Resistance fighters attacked a military convoy on the Matupi-Mindat Road. The Burmese military retaliated by brutally killing and burning two civilians, and torching houses.
KARENNI (KAYAH) STATE
• Hpruso: Resistance fighters attacked a military convoy, reportedly killing several regime troops
COVID DAILY (as reported by the military-controlled Ministry of Health. Real figures are believed to be higher than officially reported)
• 32 new cases and 0 new deaths
AAPP Burma daily update (arrests and killings connected to the attempted military coup only, does not include events related to armed conflict). Since February 1st:
• 1,825 killed (May 6th)
• 13,595 total arrests ()
• 1,977 evading warrant ()
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