Myanmar’s junta chief has made a surprising plea for foreign aid to help deal with the devastating floods that have left hundreds of thousands of people displaced in the country. However, many are skeptical of the regime’s intentions, citing past instances where aid meant for disaster relief was instead used to bolster the military’s arsenal.
According to Dr. Sasa, Myanmar’s exiled national unity government minister for international cooperation, a similar request for aid was made in 2008 after Cyclone Nargis claimed the lives of over 100,000 people. At that time, the authorities reportedly diverted relief supplies from foreign countries to military purposes, rather than distributing them to those in need.
This recent call for assistance comes at a time when Myanmar has already been grappling with the aftermath of three years of brutal conflict. The junta’s track record of using humanitarian aid for its own benefit raises concerns about the true motivations behind their appeal for help.
Despite the urgent need for aid in the wake of the devastating floods, many are hesitant to provide support that could potentially end up in the wrong hands. As the international community considers how best to respond to Myanmar’s request, the specter of past misuse of aid looms large, casting a shadow of doubt over the regime’s sincerity.
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Video “Myanmar junta requests aid after deadly floods: ‘They use aid for weapons’ • FRANCE 24 English” was uploaded on 09/14/2024 to Youtube Channel FRANCE 24 English