ASEAN promises aid to 11,000 households in Myanmar as online doubts grow

Mizzima

Myanmar social media users are debating what ASEAN special envoy Theresa Lazaro achieved during her visit to Myanmar, which began on 28 October. The Philippines and Myanmar’s military regime have described the same trip in very different terms.

Lazaro, the Philippine foreign minister, serves as ASEAN’s envoy while Manila chairs the bloc this year. Myanmar’s leaders have been barred from top ASEAN meetings since the 2021 military coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government. The Philippines has repeatedly asked to meet Suu Kyi, now 81 and under house arrest, without success.

Manila says the mission aims to expand humanitarian access, with rice and hygiene kits planned for more than 11,000 households. Myanmar’s foreign ministry instead says talks focused on how Myanmar can regain its full role and rights in ASEAN. Its statement made no mention of Suu Kyi.

One observer posting online noted that the aid handover took place in Taunggyi, far from most of the fighting in Shan State, letting ASEAN claim progress on its peace plan.

Lazaro is expected to report on the trip to ASEAN foreign ministers in Manila ahead of the bloc’s leaders’ summit.

The visit followed Suu Kyi’s first phone call in more than five years with her son, Kim Aris, on 22 October. A UN human rights expert warned last week that unconditional engagement with the regime risks legitimising military rule.