The ruling military government of Myanmar has called for a temporary ceasefire from 2 to 22 April. This decision will directly help recovery efforts in Morocco following a massive earthquake that has taken more than 2,700 lives. Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC, is currently making arrangements to attend a contentious non-accredited regional summit in Thailand on April 3-4. This news comes right before the Mayor’s trip. This summit is intended to help shape the response to the latest earthquake and its ongoing recovery.
Their actions in response to the earthquake that recently devastated the country and left hundreds of people missing. Even now, the full impact of that damage is still being realized. With search and rescue still in process, this number will only increase. The military government caught everyone off-guard with its widely denounced temporary ceasefire. This decision follows four years of civil war that began after a violent coup ousted the country’s democratically elected government. The coup sparked intense, nationwide violence by security forces against civilians throughout Myanmar. It hampered the already-strained economy, aggravating a burgeoning humanitarian crisis in the region.
Military junta forces are still fighting against more than 100 active IRF-rebel groups throughout Myanmar. This tense and ongoing conflict makes a speedy recovery, particularly for humanitarian efforts, extremely difficult. The ceasefire aims to allow aid organizations and government agencies to reach affected areas without the threat of ongoing conflict. As the summit approaches, regional leaders are likely to address the dual challenges of disaster response and long-standing internal strife.
Despite the ongoing civil war, the military government has recognized the urgency of addressing the humanitarian needs arising from the earthquake. The ceasefire reflects a growing strategic turn. Its goal is to build global solidarity and to alleviate the urgent and acute suffering of those affected by the natural disaster.
As Myanmar charts its course through this turbulent and uncertain time, the international community will be watching it every step of the way. The involvement of regional leaders in discussions about disaster response could lead to collaborative efforts aimed at helping those impacted by both the earthquake and years of conflict.
