OCHA details severe humanitarian access constraints across Myanmar

Mizzima

On 18 September, OCHA reported 76 access incidents in Myanmar, disrupting aid to 115,000 people. Most incidents, at 57%, were due to armed conflict; 25% stemmed from bureaucratic restrictions. 

This report shows Rakhine State had the most incidents, followed by Mandalay and Northern Shan. Access issues and violence against aid workers are hindering humanitarian efforts.

The text of the report is as follows.

With 57 per cent of the total reported incidents, access constraints related to armed hostilities largely affected relief operations in twelve states and regions, including Northern Shan, Kayah, Chin, Mandalay, Kayin, and Eastern Bago. Various humanitarian activities planned for implementation by aid organizations, including members of the UN system, were temporarily suspended for over ten days—particularly in Mandalay, Southern Shan, Tanintharyi, Rakhine, and Kachin. In Southern Shan, due to heavy artillery fire at the project site, an international organization was forced to cancel its activities. Meanwhile, in Hpasawng Township of Kayah, reported airstrikes damaged a school, resulting in three children being injured.