The Karen National Union (KNU) has called on the international community to closely monitor and prevent the military council from politically exploiting the aftermath of the earthquake that struck central Myanmar. In a statement released on March 30, the KNU emphasized the importance of implementing safeguards to prevent the military council from using humanitarian assistance for political gain, citing historical precedent from previous natural disasters.
The KNU specifically referenced the military’s misuse of international aid during the 2008 Cyclone Nargis crisis, where humanitarian assistance was manipulated for the military’s benefit. Given this history, they stressed the need for establishing a robust monitoring mechanism for current earthquake relief efforts. The organization noted that earthquake-affected populations are located in both military-controlled territories and areas under revolutionary forces’ control, recommending that aid be distributed directly through local organizations to ensure it reaches those truly in need.
Padoh Saw Taw Nee, a KNU Central Executive Committee member, elaborated on the importance of avoiding direct aid delivery to the military council, instead advocating for distribution through organizations actively working on the ground. He emphasized the necessity of establishing a monitoring mechanism to verify that assistance reaches its intended recipients. Drawing from the Cyclone Nargis experience, he explained how the military regime had previously exploited international aid for public relations purposes. He also highlighted that international governmental aid essentially comes from taxpayers in donor countries, making transparency and accountability crucial in the distribution process. The KNU’s statement reflects a broader concern about ensuring humanitarian assistance serves its intended purpose of helping affected civilians rather than becoming a tool for military propaganda or political manipulation.
