Photo credit: Thinzar Shunlei Yi @thinzashunleiyi|Twitter
Washington DC: The United States today announced it would provide more than $50 million in critical humanitarian assistance to the people of Burma (Myanmar), including those forced to flee violence and persecution.
The announcement came from U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield during an official visit to Thailand, today. . In addition, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield announced $5 million in aid to help Thailand fight COVID-19.
“This aid will enable our international and non-governmental organization partners to provide emergency food assistance, lifesaving protection, shelter, essential health care, water, sanitation, and hygiene services to the people of Burma, including those who have fled from Burma or been displaced from their homes across Burma,” Ned Price, Department Spokesperson at the US Department of State, said here.
This funding comes at a critical point of rising humanitarian needs and will help mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on the lives of the people of both Thailand and Burma. In the wake of the February 1 coup, people from Burma continue to flee their homes due to ongoing violence. “This assistance from the American people will enable humanitarian partners to help the most vulnerable affected populations in Burma and Thailand, benefiting more than 700,000 of Burma’s people and contributing to the provision of lifesaving humanitarian assistance,” Price said.
Today’s announcement of additional COVID-19 assistance to Thailand will support health workers administering vaccines and will strengthen the vaccine supply chain to help ensure that they reach the most vulnerable populations.
“We urge other donors to generously support the urgent humanitarian needs of the people of Burma. We further urge the international community to join us in doing more to combat COVID-19 and bring the pandemic to an end — in Thailand and around the world,” Price said.
– global bihari bureau
