In Sagaing Township, Sagaing Region, the military has restricted rescue team operations citing security concerns over potential PDF (People’s Defense Force) infiltration. According to a rescue organization currently in Sagaing, any rescue operations must obtain permission from both the Sagaing Township Administration Body and the Army’s 33rd Battalion based in Sagaing. The military has implemented strict requirements for rescue operations, including detailed personal information of rescue workers, inventory of aid supplies, documentation of funding sources, and mandatory cooperation with military and administrative authorities.
The military has significantly increased security measures around hospitals and township administrative offices. Rescue workers report that armed personnel, numbering between 10 and 20, are stationed near the hospital, and checkpoints have been established along the riverbank road, with the area beyond the park being completely blocked off. These restrictions have severely limited the movement and operational capacity of humanitarian organizations in the region. Local rescue teams attempting to provide assistance must navigate through complex bureaucratic requirements and military checkpoints, significantly hampering their ability to reach those in need.
While local rescue teams based in Sagaing continue their efforts to provide assistance, they acknowledge that their current operations cannot cover the entire Sagaing Region effectively. Time is running out for people who may be trapped under collapsed buildings, and rescue teams express growing concern about their limited ability to reach all affected areas. The military’s restrictions and increased security measures have created significant obstacles for humanitarian operations, potentially putting lives at risk as rescue teams struggle to access areas where their services are desperately needed. The situation highlights the challenging circumstances under which rescue organizations must operate, balancing their humanitarian mission with the military’s stringent security protocols.
