The ASEAN envoy to Myanmar has called for a four-month cease-fire in order to deliver relief

[ASEAN NOW Content Team]

 

In an interview, a special ASEAN envoy to Myanmar said he has called for a four-month cease-fire by all sides in Myanmar's conflict to allow for the smooth delivery of the country's first batch of humanitarian aid, which is anticipated as early as mid-September.

Brunei's second foreign minister, Erywan Yusof, told Kyodo News online on Saturday that he offered the cease-fire till the end of the year in a videoconference with Myanmar's military-appointed foreign minister, Wunna Maung Lwin, last Tuesday, and that the military accepted it.

 

"This isn't going to be a political truce.
A cease-fire has been declared to safeguard the safety (and security) of humanitarian workers "He stated that as they go out and distribute aid to the people in a safe manner.

"They had no dispute with what I stated about the cease-fire," the envoy said, adding that he had also passed his idea on to parties opposed to the military's authority after the country's democratically elected government was deposed in a February coup.

 

"I'm hoping the message gets through to them."

Myanmar's military, known as the Tatmadaw, has used brutality against pro-democracy forces and armed ethnic minorities, some of whom have retaliated with violence.

As the member country grapples with a triple crisis of political unrest, a faltering economy, and the coronavirus pandemic, aid from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations is being prepared.

 

"We are engaged and giving signals to all interested parties in Myanmar to stop any violent activities and practise greatest caution," Erywan added, referring to the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance, which is situated in Indonesia.

The first shipment contains medical equipment that Myanmar urgently requires to assist those who have fallen seriously ill as a result of COVID-19, such as oxygen compressors and protective clothing, and it will be distributed to "all the people of Myanmar," he stated.

According to him, supplies destined for border areas controlled by armed ethnic minority groups may be channelled by land through Thailand.

 

He went on to say that the next stage is to get immunizations for the country.