The Guardian view on Myanmar’s earthquake: aid must reach beyond the junta | Editorial

PThe excitement on the press and the Internet imposed by the Military Council that rules Myanmar means that information is about A strong earthquake This hit the country on Friday, one o’clock in the afternoon local time, was more complete than usual in the wake of a disaster. It was reported that at least 144 people – a number of deaths are certainly rising – while the state of emergency was declared in the Thai capital, Bangkok. There, eight people who died while dozens of construction workers are afraid of the tall attention Building that they were working on collapse. More expected final tremors and will make rescuers and those who provide humanitarian assistance in both countries more difficult.

The earthquake, which has a size of 7.7, is the strongest that has hit the region since 1956, which means that the buildings It is unlikely to have been designed With this threat in mind. The catastrophe could not have come in a worse time for the people of Myanmar, with more than 18 million people from the displaced or in the face of hunger, according to what he said. United Nations. In Rakhine, 2 million people are at risk of famineWith the military council accused of attaching the “collective punishment” to them. About 6.7 million children live in earthquake areas, including the second largest city in the country, Mandalay, 17 km from the earthquake center. Since this was Friday, during Ramadan, it is believed that many people were crushed when crowded mosques fell.

Four years yet Military control In a coup, fighting between the army and rebel groups, many of which support a government parallel to national unity, which was formed from the remains of the Democratic National Association, makes the elections promised by the Military Council to be an worrying possibility. Last year, the BBC investigations, known as the Popular Defense Force, were responsible for 42 % of the country’s ground bloc, with only 21 % under the control of the Military Council. The elections held in such circumstances, partly at the request of China, will not reduce the difficulties of the population and there are fears of the intensification of the civil war in the country.

The earthquake is another huge setback, just six months after the destruction of many villages and the killing of at least 226 people in the floods and muddons resulting from that Hurricane Yaji. Now, then, the isolated military rulers in Myanmar have requested international assistance. With Amnesty International warning and other effects of US aid discounts on relief efforts, the European Union and other countries must do everything they can do to ensure delivery of foods that provide life and medical supplies, as well as the safe access required by human rights organizations.

A confirmation of Zain Mar Ong, the highest diplomat of national rebels, that the Popular Defense Force will provide assistance in the areas it governs. But efforts to coordinate support and channel resources will be difficult. central MyanmarIncluding Mandalay, run by the Military Council, which means that international assistance efforts can be delivered there with its cooperation.

To find out what is going on elsewhere, get help to less easy areas, UN and international donors will have to work with local administrations that govern them. Punta cannot be allowed to control the flow of aid. By doing this, a catastrophe can be used to intensify its grip on power and suffer its opponents between the people of Myanmar.

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