Myanmar's Post-Earthquake Ceasefire Collapses as Fighting Resumes, Jeopardizing Aid Delivery

The fragile ceasefire in Myanmar, intended to facilitate earthquake relief efforts, has crumbled as both the military junta and rebel groups accuse each other of renewed attacks. This resurgence of conflict is severely impeding the delivery of crucial aid to those affected by the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck on March 28th.

According to the UN Human Rights office, the Myanmar military has reportedly launched at least 14 attacks since the supposed ceasefire came into effect. Meanwhile, the military alleges that rebel groups within the alliance that initially declared the ceasefire have also engaged in hostile actions. One rebel group claims that fighting erupted in response to military "offensives".

Maj Gen Zaw Min Tun, a spokesperson for the military council, issued a statement asserting that they would retaliate against any "unprovoked attacks" on military bases. However, requests for further clarification from an army spokesperson went unanswered.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has urgently called for "a halt to all military operations" to prioritize assisting earthquake victims and ensuring unrestricted access for humanitarian organizations. The ongoing civil war between the junta, which seized power in a 2021 coup, and various ethnic militias and resistance forces has already created a dire humanitarian situation.

Following the earthquake, an alliance of three rebel groups declared a ceasefire, prompting the military council to announce a 20-day ceasefire on April 2nd. However, these agreements have seemingly failed to hold.

State media reports indicate that the official death toll from the earthquake has risen to 3,564, with 5,012 people injured and 210 still missing. Rescue workers continue to recover bodies from the ruins of collapsed buildings in Mandalay, the city hardest hit by the quake.

Rainfall over the weekend further complicated relief efforts. The UN Human Rights office highlighted that while humanitarian aid has reached some areas, "longstanding limitations imposed by the military on humanitarian operations and access" have left many badly affected regions inaccessible to emergency assistance, forcing residents to rely on locally organized aid.

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher, speaking from Mandalay, emphasized the urgent needs of the affected population, stating that people require "food, water, power, and shelter." He also noted that aftershocks continue to traumatize the population.

Fletcher further highlighted the pre-existing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, where almost 20 million people were already in need before the earthquake. He described the situation as "a compounding crisis – an earthquake on top of conflict, on top of huge existing need." The resumption of fighting is exacerbating this crisis, making it even more challenging to provide essential aid and support to those affected by the earthquake.