The UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, Tom Andrews, condemns U.S. aid cuts as a betrayal causing immense suffering in the country amid ongoing violence and humanitarian crises. He urges a unified response from member nations of the UN Human Rights Council, asserting the cuts are politically motivated and detrimental to those in need.
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, Tom Andrews, has condemned recent cuts to U.S. foreign aid as a grave betrayal that could lead to substantial suffering and fatalities in Myanmar. Andrews, a former congressman, criticized these cuts as politically motivated, asserting they stem from misrepresentations regarding aid programs. He highlighted the immediate adverse effects of the U.S. withdrawal on the Myanmar populace and called for a unified response from the 47 nations comprising the UN Human Rights Council to address these issues as a matter of conscience.
Andrews emphasized that while questions regarding the efficiency of aid programs merit discussion, the focus of the current aid cuts lies in unfounded and misleading claims surrounding corruption and waste. He declared this situation not merely as a policy failure but as a deep betrayal that jeopardizes lives. He stated, “The sudden, chaotic withdrawal of support…is already having a crushing impact on the people of Myanmar.”
Since the military coup on February 1, 2021, which resulted in the ousting of Aung San Suu Kyi’s democratically elected government, Myanmar has spiraled into a state of violence and humanitarian crisis. The ongoing civil war has led to the displacement of over 3.5 million individuals, exacerbating the calamity facing the nation. Widespread fighting between ethnic rebel factions and the military continues to ravage the country, intensifying the urgent need for aid and support from the international community.
In summary, the criticism from UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews reinforces the significant impact of U.S. foreign aid cuts on Myanmar, highlighting the humanitarian crises that have arisen from politically charged decisions. With a call for collective action from international bodies, it emphasizes the necessity for humanitarian considerations to take precedence over political motives, especially in the context of ongoing conflict and displacement in Myanmar.
Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk
