Thailand Hopes ASEAN Centre Will Start Humanitarian Assistance In Myanmar Soon

By Linda Khoo Hui Li BANGKOK, July 13 (Bernama) -- Thailand hopes ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) will commence its operation soon to help Myanmar as the country battles its worst COVID-19 outbreak. Thailand's Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanee Sangrat said his country attaches great importance to support efforts to provide humanitarian assistance for the people in Myanmar, in particular in the area of public health. “Thailand already donated five million Baht as humanitarian aid, through the Thai Red Cross to the Myanmar Red Cross Society to help Myanmar people who are facing difficulties. “At the same time, Thailand has been implementing technical cooperation projects to strengthen Myanmar's capacity in coping with the spread of COVID-19 both in inner areas of the country and along the Thai-Myanmar border. “Thailand is ready to provide additional humanitarian and public health support for the people of Myanmar in the future,” he said in a statement Monday. Tanee said Thailand continues to follow the situation in Myanmar with concern, as incidents of violence still occur in many areas and have adverse impacts on the economic and humanitarian situation in Myanmar, especially the new COVID-19 wave in the country as it has a direct impact on Thailand too. As a close neighboring country, he said Thailand wished to see peace, stability and the well-being of the people in Myanmar. Since the military ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government on Feb 1, Myanmar has witnessed unrest with nationwide protests and strikes brutally suppressed by security forces where more than 800 people reported killed. Meanwhile, Tanee reiterated that ASEAN will play an important role in helping to create an environment conducive to dialogue in Myanmar. “Therefore, Thailand wants to see the appointment of ASEAN Special Envoy as soon as possible so that discussions with parties can begin. Without dialogue among the parties in Myanmar, resolution to other existing economic and humanitarian problems, including dealing with the spread of COVID-19, would not be effective,” he said. -- BERNAMA