The UN special rapporteur on Myanmar has criticized U.S. foreign aid cuts as a betrayal, causing severe suffering in the country. Tom Andrews urges the UN Human Rights Council to act against these politically motivated reductions, which exacerbate the existing humanitarian crisis.
The United Nations special rapporteur on Myanmar has criticized the United States for cutting foreign aid, describing it as a disgraceful act of betrayal that will inflict severe suffering and loss of life upon the country. Tom Andrews, who previously served in the U.S. Congress, condemned the aid reductions as politically motivated and based on misleading information.
Andrews called upon the 47 nations within the UN Human Rights Council to collectively rise and address this critical moral issue. In a press conference, he asserted, “The sudden, chaotic withdrawal of support, principally by the government of the United States, is already having a crushing impact on the people of Myanmar.”
He acknowledged that while concerns regarding the efficacy of aid programs and burden-sharing should be discussed, the current situation stems from misleading accusations regarding corruption and misuse of funds. He firmly stated, “It is about betrayal. This is shameful.”
Since the military coup on February 1, 2021, which deposed Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government, Myanmar has spiraled into chaos, experiencing severe conflict and a humanitarian crisis. The ongoing civil war, involving ethnic rebel groups and the military, has resulted in the displacement of over 3.5 million individuals, according to United Nations reports.
In conclusion, the United Nations expert has strongly denounced the U.S. aid cuts to Myanmar as both politically driven and detrimental to the humanitarian crisis in the country. The withdrawal of support is set to exacerbate the suffering of millions displaced by conflict. Calls for collective action from the international community highlight the urgent need for a response to this crisis.
Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk
