Is the UN’s Aid Distribution in Myanmar Fair Amid Earthquake and Conflict?

Is the UN’s Aid Distribution in Myanmar Fair Amid Earthquake and Conflict?

The United Nations has faced scrutiny for its humanitarian efforts in conflict zones, with some questioning its impartiality. In Myanmar, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck on March 28, 2025, devastating regions like Sagaing, Mandalay, and Naypyidaw. This natural disaster has compounded an already dire situation, as the country grapples with a civil war sparked by the 2021 military coup. The junta, led by Min Aung Hlaing, and the opposition National Unity Government (NUG) control different areas, creating a complex environment for aid delivery. Millions of Burmese are displaced, fleeing violence, airstrikes, and shelling, with the earthquake adding to their suffering.

The junta, which the NUG labels a terrorist organization, has been accused of indiscriminate attacks on civilians and blocking aid to opposition-held areas. Reports indicate that even after the earthquake, military operations continued, hindering rescue efforts. Meanwhile, the NUG has called for a temporary ceasefire to facilitate relief, though clashes persist. The earthquake has left thousands homeless, with damaged infrastructure, including the junta’s headquarters in Naypyidaw, rendering government buildings unsafe and displacing civil servants.

International aid, including search-and-rescue teams from countries like China, India, and Thailand, has been welcomed for saving lives trapped under rubble. However, concerns have emerged about the UN’s aid distribution strategy. Critics argue that UN assistance appears to prioritize junta-controlled areas, potentially neglecting civilians in NUG-held regions like parts of Sagaing, where the earthquake’s impact was severe. The junta is diverting aid to support its personnel and loyalists, such as setting up tents for military staff, rather than prioritizing displaced civilians or earthquake victims.

The UN’s role in Myanmar should be impartial, ensuring aid reaches all affected populations, regardless of who controls the territory. Operating in a conflict zone is challenging, and the safety of UN staff is a valid concern. However, if security risks prevent equitable aid delivery, the UN must find ways to work with both governments to reach civilians in opposition areas or reconsider its approach entirely. Myanmar’s people are enduring not only the aftermath of a natural disaster but also the ongoing horrors of war, with airstrikes and displacement affecting both junta- and NUG-controlled regions.

We urge the UN to uphold its humanitarian principles by distributing aid fairly to all earthquake victims and conflict-affected communities. Transparency in how aid is allocated and delivered is critical to ensuring it reaches those in greatest need, whether under junta or NUG control. The Burmese people deserve support that addresses both the immediate crisis and the broader suffering caused by the ongoing conflict and UN should deal with both governments inside Myanmar.