Cross-border aid to Myanmar requires approval from both govts: UN

The United Nations has clarified that any humanitarian assistance sent from Bangladesh to Myanmar must receive prior approval from both governments.

A spokesperson for the UN in Bangladesh stated that the organisation has a legal obligation to secure permission from the respective authorities to conduct cross-border humanitarian operations. Without such consent, the UN cannot be directly involved.

The clarification follows a recent statement by Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain, who said Bangladesh had agreed in principle to a UN proposal for a humanitarian corridor into Myanmar’s Rakhine State. However, he noted that several conditions must be met before implementation.

The proposal has raised concerns among several political parties in Bangladesh, who have warned of potential national security risks.

Rakhine State continues to face a severe humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands displaced due to conflict between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army. At the same time, the influx of Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh persists. Since November 2023, around 113,000 new arrivals have pushed the total Rohingya population in the country to approximately 1.3 million.

The UN spokesperson reaffirmed continued support for the Rohingya in Bangladesh and stressed concern over the worsening situation in Rakhine. The UN and its humanitarian partners will continue efforts to mobilise international support for Bangladesh in its role as a host country.