By Fazeena Saleem
DOHA: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs yesterday made an appeal to the international community to support humanitarian activities for the people of Myanmar.
“Humanitarian work in Myanmar is a challenge. The aids we received from UN are not enough. We appealed for US $32m; we have received only US $10m. Hope many more countries and organisations will support, Oliver Lacey Hall, Head of Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific told The Peninsula on the sidelines of the second meeting of humanitarian organisations on the situation of Muslims in Myanmar at the Oryx Rotana, Doha.
Rakhine State in Myanmar has the presence of many non-governmental organisations and humanitarian workers, although UN is operating in Myanmar since 2008. However, the humanitarian workers also find many challengers in doing relief work.
“We face challenges. Access to the affected areas is risky. People of the area are in frustration. The safety of the humanitarian workers is a huge concern,” Hall explained. However, he said that the government of Myanmar has understood the need for humanitarian work and it’s supporting the non governmental organizations in their work.
The second meeting of humanitarian organisations on the situation of Muslims in Myanmar Organised by the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC)in collaboration with the Qatar Charity, was held yesterday with the participation of about 30 local, regional and international organisations.
It discussed a strategic plan for humanitarian intervention in Rakhine State in Myanmar in addition to ways to strengthen coordination between the humanitarian organisations, take practical steps in this context and review reports of the OIC and other organisations about the situation there.
Youssuf Ahmed Al Kuwari, Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Charity said: “Qatar Charity, by hosting this meeting, demonstrates the importance of coordinating the efforts of charitable and humanitarian organisations in Islamic countries, in strengthening cooperation among them, especially in the field of relief, and in contributing to the support and follow up efforts in delivering aid to the Muslims Rohingya in Myanmar.”
Rakhine State witnessed ethnic clashes by since last June which led to a major humanitarian crisis harming all groups, but mainly the Rohingya people. The Assistant Secretary-General indicated that the emigration of around 100,000 from their homes worsens their humanitarian conditions due to downpours in the region.The Peninsula
