Emergency Seminar: Earthquake in Central Myanmar – Delivering Aid to the People

A powerful earthquake struck central Myanmar on March 28, causing devastating damage. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to all those affected. While dedicated relief efforts are underway, reports indicate that the Myanmar military continues to carry out airstrikes without regard for civilians and has even obstructed emergency assistance in certain areas.

In this urgent seminar, we will share updates on relief efforts led by Myanmar community groups and Japanese civil society. We will also present analysis from Myanmar’s civil society on how the presence of the military may impact emergency aid delivery, and the relationship between the Myanmar Red Cross and the military.

Furthermore, we will hear recommendations from Myanmar civil society groups on how the international community—including the Japanese government—can take action to prevent the militarization of humanitarian aid and ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most.

Date and Time
April 30, 2024 (Wednesday) 19:00-20:30 JST

Where
Online Event (Zoom Webinar)

Language
English and Japanese (with simultaneous interpretation)

Participation Fee
Free

Registration Form: https://x.gd/7h4mG
Speaker

Speaker Profiles

Keiko Nakao

Representative Director of Burmese Relief Center Japan (BRCJ). As a teacher at a private junior and senior high school, she started taking part in BRCJ activities from 1997. She has led BRCJ since 1999. After retiring from school in 2023, Keiko visits BRCJ support areas several times a year. BRCJ was established in 1988 and has provided both material and moral support to those who continue the democratization movement despite difficult circumstances and to those who escaped to Thailand but are facing hardships. Since the 2021 coup, it has also provided support to the people engaged in the civil disobedience movement (CDM) and currently provides humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs) together with partner organizations.

Khin Ohmar

Democracy and human rights activist, Founder and Chairperson of Progressive Voice. Khin Ohmar has been involved in Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement since her university days in 1988 as Myanmar students spearheaded a nationwide pro-democracy uprising. Since then, she has been working towards human rights, democracy, justice, and peace in Myanmar from abroad. She is the founder and chairperson of Progressive Voice, an advocacy and research group working towards federal democracy in Myanmar. It was born out of the work of Burma Partnership, a coalition of groups seeking democracy and human rights in Myanmar.

Kyi Nyein

Kyi Nyein is a youth queer activist, currently serving as the Secretary of Queers of Burma Alternative (QBA). Currently, Kyi is involved in the Myanmar Emergency Response Coordination Unit for inclusive immediate relief for earthquake affected populations. Kyi has been deeply involved in activism since 2018, focusing on LGBT+ rights, anti-militarism, youth activism, and environmentalism. Despite the violence caused by the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, Kyi has continued to advocate for social justice, working as a steering committee member in the General Strike Committee of Myanmar, and providing humanitarian assistance in displacement areas such as northern Shan and Karenni States. Kyi’s extensive experience includes roles such as a Policy Affairs Officer at Students Union and Assistant Secretary at the Youth Affairs Committee under a civilian government. Their passion for environmentalism earned them recognition as the South East Asia Youth Cleanup Ambassador 2019. In addition to their activism, Kyi is an accomplished podcast maker, focusing on LGBT+ voices in Myanmar, and has worked with various organizations on research and advocacy intersectionality among the pro-democratic groups.

Co-organized by

#NoMoreBusinessWithTheMyanmarJunta campaign organizers (Mekong Watch, ayus:Network of Buddhists Volunteers on International Cooperation, Friends of the Earth Japan, Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC),Network Against Japan Arms Trade (NAJAT) and Pacific Asia Resource Center (PARC)) with Progressive Voice

Contact

Mekong Watch [email protected]