22 August 2023

Civil society statement on the visit of Head of OCHA to Myanmar

While noting efforts by UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, to negotiate humanitarian access across Myanmar, including to Rakhine State following deadly Cyclone Mocha, we, the undersigned 514 civil society organizations, are concerned that Mr. Griffiths’ visit lacked substantive achievements and was used as propaganda by the military junta. We urge the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), to officially engage and partner with legitimate stakeholders of Myanmar and civil society service providers to deliver humanitarian assistance.

As Mr. Griffiths’ end-of-visit statement affirmed, “it is critical for us to have the humanitarian space we need for safe, sustained aid deliveries around the country.” Principled humanitarian engagement must see OCHA and other UN humanitarian agencies cut ties with the illegal criminal junta which is weaponizing aid and is the root cause of human suffering in Myanmar. Rather, OCHA must immediately partner with legitimate governance actors that control large parts of the country and deliver aid through local service providers. This includes Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations (EROs), the National Unity Government (NUG), and civil society organizations who have been effectively providing essential services on the ground, including through cross-border channels. Such stakeholders have the access, legitimacy, capacity and, most importantly, trust from the people that the junta simply lacks.

Given that the visit happened three months since Cyclone Mocha devastated communities in Chin and Rakhine States, Sagaing Region and beyond, the junta has proven to have no intention to address the acute needs of affected communities. Rather, OCHA visit has become the military junta’s latest propaganda exercise to attempt to gain international recognition and legitimacy. We are alarmed that OCHA’s statement omits the fact that the cause of the escalating humanitarian crisis is the junta’s violence and atrocities, or that it is the junta’s weaponization of humanitarian assistance that is blocking access to Cyclone Mocha’s victims.

While the junta has restricted humanitarian access and prevented aid from reaching vulnerable communities affected by the natural disaster, it is also the perpetrators of a nationwide man-made humanitarian catastrophe. Its widespread and systematic campaign of arson, military offensives, extrajudicial killings, and aerial attacks on civilians are, according to the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, strong evidence of “increasingly frequent and brazen war crimes.” In addition to these heinous crimes, severe restrictions of humanitarian aid delivery, including targeting aid workers, are the junta’s collective punishment of a population that is rejecting its ongoing brutal attempt to grab power. In his recent report to the 53rd Session of the Human Rights Council, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, outlines how “As part of its attempts to assert control, the military has imposed a range of legal, financial, and bureaucratic requirements on civil society and humanitarian activity that have severely reduced civic space and delivery of life-saving assistance.”

We further note OCHA’s recognition of the Myanmar military’s unconstitutional body of the “State Administration Council” in its statement which is inconsistent with the language used by the UN Security Council and UN General Assembly in their resolutions. It also legitimizes Min Aung Hlaing’s claim to be head of government by referring to him as the Chairman of the State Administration Council. We express serious concerns that OCHA’s current approach will embolden the junta to further its war of terror across the nation. Such actions risk exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, the very crisis OCHA is mandated to address and alleviate.

Despite the junta attempting to gain diplomatic legitimacy over this type of visit, OCHA must ensure substantial benefits are provided for the millions of people in dire need of humanitarian assistance as a result of the junta’s violence and atrocities. Access for OCHA staff to parts of Rakhine State and nearby areas is one issue at stake, but so is the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons in central, southeast and northwest Myanmar, where the junta is launching non-stop deliberate attacks on civilians. In these areas, the junta does not have effective control and cannot grant access to affected communities. On the contrary, local governance and civil society actors have been effectively delivering assistance to affected communities, but must be supported by more resources.

OCHA must reflect on its current failed approach and take critical, concrete actions which truly serve Myanmar communities that are in dire need. To fulfill its mandate and principles to do no harm, OCHA must immediately pivot to delivering aid in collaboration or partnership with local humanitarian and civil society groups, ethnic service providers, diaspora communities, local administration forces of the Spring Revolution, members of the Civil Disobedience Movement, EROs, and the NUG who have been effectively providing life-saving services on the ground, including through cross-border channels.

The Myanmar military has a long history of weaponizing humanitarian aid and UN agencies have a long history of being criticized for complicity in military atrocities, all done in the name of access. OCHA can no longer afford to rehash failed models of humanitarianism, and thus tacitly giving credence and status to the illegal military junta. Rather, OCHA must be innovative and supportive of local service providers, as well as engage and collaborate with the legitimate stakeholders of Myanmar. This will ensure the most effective and widespread delivery of humanitarian assistance to affected communities suffering from international crimes committed by a brutal military junta.

For more information, please contact:

• Khin Ohmar, Progressive Voice, [email protected]
• Maw Pray Myar, Karenni National Women’s Organization, [email protected]
• Nai Aue Mon, Human Rights Foundation of Monland, [email protected]
• Naw Wahku Shee, Karen Peace Support Network, [email protected]
• Salai Za Uk Ling, Chin Human Rights Organization, [email protected]

Signed by 514 Myanmar, regional and international organizations including 260 organizations who have chosen to not disclose their name:

1. 5/ of Zaya State Strike
2. 8888 Generation (New Zealand)
3. Action Against Myanmar Military Coup (AAMMC)
4. Action Committee for Democracy Development (Coalition of 14 grassroots networks)
5. Action Committee of Basic Education Students
6. Active Youths Kalaymyo
7. Ah Nah Podcast – Conversation with Myanmar
8. All Aung Myay Thar San Schools Strike Force
9. All Burma Democratic Front in New Zealand
10. All Burma Indigenous People Alliance (ABIPA)
11. All Burma Student Democratic Front (ABSDF) – Australia Branch
12. All Young Burmese League (AYBL)
13. Alliance of Students’ Union – Yangon (ASU-Yangon)
14. ALTSEAN-Burma
15. Anti Dictatorship in Burma – DC Metropolitan Area
16. Anti-coup Forces Coordination Committee (ACFCC -Mandalay)
17. Anti – Junta Alliance Yangon – AJAY
18. Anti – Myanmar Military Dictatorship Network (Australia)
19. ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR)
20. Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC)
21. Asian Cultural Forum on Development (ACFOD)
22. Association of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters
23. Association Suisse-Birmanie
24. Associazione per l’Amicizia Italia Birmania “Giuseppe Malpeli”
25. Athan – Freedom of Expression Activist Organization
26. Auckland Kachin Community NZ
27. Auckland Zomi Community
28. Aung San Suu Kyi Park Norway
29. Australian Karen Organisation (AKO)
30. A-Yar -Taw People Strike
31. Ayeyarwaddy West Development Organisation AWDO (Magway)
32. Ayeyarwaddy West Development Organisation AWDO (Nagphe)
33. Back Pack Health Worker Team
34. Better Burma
35. Blood Money Campaign
36. Blooming Padauk
37. Boat People SOS
38. Burma Action Ireland
39. Burma Advocacy Group
40. Burma Campaign UK
41. Burma Civil War Museum (BCM)
42. Burma Lawyer Council (BLC)
43. Burma Medical Association
44. Burma Support
45. Burmese Canadian Network
46. Burmese Community Development Collaboration (BCDC)
47. Burmese Community Group (Manawatu, NZ)
48. Burmese Community Support Group (BCSG)
49. Burmese Medical Association Australia (BMAA)
50. Burmese Rohingya Welfare Organisation New Zealand
51. Burmese Women’s Union
52. CAN – Myanmar
53. CDM Medical Network (CDMMN)
54. CDM Support Organisation Mae Sot
55. Center For Action Point (CAP)
56. Chaung Oo Township Youth Strike Committee
57. Chin Community in Norway
58. Chin Community of Auckland
59. Chin Human Rights Organization
60. Civil Information Network (CIN)
61. Coalition for Democracy
62. Coalition Strike Committee – Dawei
63. Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS)
64. Community Association Development
65. Creative Home
66. CRPH & NUG Supporters Ireland
67. CRPH Funding Ireland
68. CRPH Support Group
69. CRPH, NUG Support Team Germany – Deutschland
70. Dahnu Youth Organization
71. Dawei Youths Revolutionary Movement Strike Committee
72. Democracy for Ethnic Minorities Organization
73. Democracy, Peace and Women’s Organization
74. Democratic Party for a New Society, Norway
75. Democratic Youth Council
76. Depayin Township Revolution Steering Committee
77. Doh Atu – Ensemble pour le Myanmar (France)
78. Earthrights International
79. Educational Initiatives Prague
80. Equality Myanmar
81. Ethnic Youth General Strike Committee (Mandalay)
82. Federal Corner
83. Federal Myanmar Benevolence Group (NZ)
84. Feminist Equality Justice and Peace (Myanmar)
85. Finland Myanmar Society Ry
86. Food Not Bombs
87. Free Burma Campaign (South Africa) (FBC(SA)
88. Free Rohingya Coalition
89. Freedom and Labor Action Group (FLAG)
90. Future Light Center
91. Future Thanlwin
92. Gender Equality Network
93. General Strike Collaboration Committee (GSCC)
94. General Strike Committee of Basic and Higher Education

1. • Basic Education Worker Unions – Steering Committee
   • Representative Committee of University Teacher Associations
   • Basic Education General Strike Committee

95. General Strikes Committee of Nationalities – GSCN
96. Generation Wave
97. Global Movement for Myanmar Democracy (GM4MD)
98. Global Myanmar Spring Revolution
99. Global Myanmar Spring Revolution (Japan)
100. Global Myanmar Spring Revolution (Korea)
101. Grass-root People
102. Human Rights Educators Network
103. Human Rights Foundation of Monland
104. Industrial Training Centre (ITC) Family Sydney
105. Info Birmanie
106. Initiatives for International Dialogue
107. Insight Myanmar Podcast
108. Institute for Asian Democracy
109. Integria, z.u.
110. International Association, Myanmar – Switzerland (IAMS)
111. JMC Inn Lay
112. Justice For Myanmar
113. Kachin Association Australia (KAA)
114. Kachin Association Norway
115. Kachin Student Union
116. Kachin Women’s Association Thailand (KWAT)
117. Kalay Township Strike Force
118. Kanpetlat Land Development Association
119. Karen Environment and Social Action Network
120. Karen Human Rights Group
121. Karen Office Relief Development (KORD)
122. Karen Peace Support Network (KPSN)
123. Karen Swedish Community (KSC)
124. Karen Women’s Organization (KWO)
125. Karenni Association – Norway
126. Karenni Civil Society Network
127. Karenni National Women’s Organization (KNWO)
128. Karenni Society New Zealand
129. Kayan Women’s Organization (KyWO)
130. K’cho Ethnic Association
131. Keng Tung Youth
132. Kyain Seikgyi Spring Revolution Leading Committee
133. La Communauté Birmane de France
134. Latpadaung Region Strike Committee
135. Legal Aid for Human Rights
136. Let’s Help Each Other
137. LGBT Alliance

1. • LGBT Community Yangon
   • LGBT Alliance Myanmar (Kalay Region)
   • LGBT Alliance Myanmar (Kyaukse Region)
   • LGBT Union – Mandalay
   • Monywa LGBT Strike

138. MAGGA Initiative
139. Magway People’s Revolution Committee
140. Mandalay-Based University Students’ Unions
141. Mandalay Medical Family (MFM)
142. Mandalay Regional Youth Association Revolution Core Group
143. Mandalay Strike Force (MSF)

1. • Chanmyatharzi Township People’s Strike
   • Co-operative University Mandalay Students’ Strike
   • Daung Sitthe Strike
   • Industries Strike
   • Maharaungmyay Township People’s Strike
   • Mandalay-based People’s Strike
   • Mandalay Alliance Coalition Strike
   • Mandalar University Students’ Strike
   • Mandalay Youth Strike
   • Multi-Religions Strike
   • Mya Taung Strike
   • Myanmar Institute of Information Technology Students’ Strike
   • No.12 Basic Education Branch High School (Maharaungmyay) Students’ Union
   • Samgha Sammaga – Mandalay
   • Seinpann Strike

144. Matu Chin Community – NSW/UPU Chin Association
145. MayMyo Strike Force
146. Metta Campaign Mandalay
147. Min Hla farmers Group
148. Minbu farmers Group
149. Mindat Chin Community NSW
150. Mon National Council (MNC)
151. Monywa-Amyint Road Strike Leading Committee
152. Monywa People’s Strike Steering Committee

1. • All Burma Federation of Student Unions (Monywa District)
   • Civil Society Organizations Coordination Committee (Monywa)
   • Former Political Prisoners and New Generation Group – Monywa
   • National League for Democracy (Monywa Township)
   • Network of University Student Unions – Monywa
   • Thakhin Kodaw Mhine Peace Network (Monywa)
   • The 88 Generation Peace and Open Society (Monywa)

153. Myanmar Accountability Project
154. Myanmar Action Group Denmark
155. Myanmar anti-military coup movement in New Zealand
156. Myanmar Campaign Network
157. Myanmar Catholic Community In Norway
158. Myanmar Community Coffs Harbour (MCC)
159. Myanmar Community Group Christchurch New Zealand
160. Myanmar Community Group Dunedin New Zealand
161. Myanmar Community in Norway
162. Myanmar Cultural Research Society (MCRS)
163. Myanmar Democratic Force in Denmark
164. Myanmar Diaspora Group Finland
165. Myanmar Engineers – New Zealand
166. Myanmar Gonye (New Zealand)
167. Myanmar Hindu Community – Norway
168. Myanmar Labor Alliance (MLA)
169. Myanmar People Alliance (Shan State)
170. Myanmar Students’ Union in New Zealand
171. Myanmar Teachers’ Federation
172. Myaung Education Network
173. Myaung Medical Team
174. Myaung Youth Network
175. Myingyan Civilian Movement Committee
176. Nelson Myanmar Community Group New Zealand
177. Network for Human Rights Documentation Burma (ND-Burma)
178. New Zealand Doctors for NUG
179. New Zealand Karen Association
180. New Zealand Zo Community Inc.
181. NLD Organization Committee (International) Norway
182. NLD Solidarity Association (NSW Chapter)
183. Norway Falam Community
184. Norway Matu Community
185. Norway Rvwang Community
186. NSW Karenni (Kayah) Communities
187. Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica
188. Olive Organization
189. Open Development Foundation
190. Overseas Mon Association. New Zealand
191. Padauk Finland – Myanmar Association
192. Pale Township People’s Strike Steering Committee
193. ParChan River Conservation and Development
194. PFLAG – Myanmar
195. Progressive Voice
196. Pwintphyu Development Organisation
197. Pyi Gyi Tagon Strike Force
198. Pyithu Gonye (New Zealand)
199. Rohingya Community in Norway
200. Rural Community Development Society
201. Rvwang Community Association New Zealand
202. Save and Care Organization for Women at Border Areas
203. Save Myanmar – USA
204. Save Myanmar Fundraising Group (New Zealand)
205. Shan Community (New Zealand)
206. Shan MATA
207. Shwe Pan Kone People`s Strike Steering Committee
208. Social Garden
209. Southern Dragon Myanmar
210. Southern Youth Development Organization
211. Spring Friends
212. Spring Traveller
213. Student Voice
214. Sydney Friends For Myanmar Unity
215. Synergy – Social Harmony Organization
216. Ta Mar Institute of Development
217. Ta’ang Women’s Organization (TWO)
218. Tanintharyi MATA
219. Taze Strike Committee
220. Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma (TACDB)
221. The Ladies
222. The Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute Foundation, Inc. (MPI)
223. TRF – Myanmar
224. TRIPNET
225. Twel Let Myar
226. Twitter Team for Revolution
227. S. Campaign for Burma (USCB)
228. Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
229. University Students’ Unions Alumni Force
230. We Pledge CDM (Australia)
231. Wetlet Revolution Leading Committee
232. White Coat Society Yangon (WCSY)
233. Women Activists Myanmar
234. Women Advocacy Coalition
235. Women Alliance Burma (WAB)

235. • Chindwin (West) Villages Women Strike
     • Dawei ( Ashaetaw) Women Strike
     • Depayin Women Strike
     • Gangaw Women Strike
     • Kalay Women Strike
     • Mandalay Women Strike
     • Monywa-Amyint Road Women Strike
     • Monywa Women Strike
     • Taze Women Strike
     • Thayat Chaung Women Strike
     • Wetlet Township Women Strike
     • Yangon Women Strike
236. Women’s League of Burma
237. Yadanabon University Students’ Union
238. Yasakyo Township People`s Strike Steering Committee
239. Yinmarpin and Salingyi All Villages Strike Committee
240. Youth for Democratization of Myanmar (UDM)
241. Youth Heart Beams
242. Youths for Community – Myaung
243. Zomi Association Australia Inc.
244. Zomi Christian Fellowship of Norway
245. Zomi Community Norway
246. ကမ်းလက်ကူ
247. ခုနစ်စဥ်ကြယ် အဖွဲ့
248. ဒို့မြေကွန်ရက် – LIOH
249. ဒေါနတနင်္သာရီ – စစ်ဘေးရှောင်များ အထောက်အကူပြုရေးအဖွဲ့
250. နားဆင်သူများ
251. ပဉ္စမမဏ္ဏိုင်
252. ပွင့်ဖြူလယ်ယာမြေကွန်ရက်
253. ယောဒေသစစ်ဘေးရှောင်ကူညီရေးအဖွဲ့
254. သောင်ရင်း သတင်းလွှာ

Additional list (Organization who has signed on following publication)

1. General Strike Committee (GSC)
2. Justice For All
3. SEA Junction

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