The U.N.'s special rapporteur on Myanmar, Tom Andrews, has strongly condemned the United States' recent decision to cut foreign aid to the war-torn nation, calling it a "shameful act of betrayal" that will exacerbate human suffering and lead to countless deaths.
Andrews, a former U.S. congressman, criticized the move as politically driven, based on misinformation, and implemented in a reckless manner. Addressing the U.N. Human Rights Council on Monday(march 17), he urged the 47 member states to unite in opposition to the cuts and to speak out against the decision as a matter of conscience.

Crushing Impact on Myanmar’s People

"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," Andrews said during a news conference. "This is not about improving efficiency or addressing corruption. It is about making politically motivated and demonstrably false declarations that will cause immense suffering and cost untold numbers of lives."
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military junta seized power in a coup on February 1, 2021, toppling the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The coup ended a decade-long experiment with democracy and triggered a violent civil conflict. The junta’s rule has led to mass displacement, economic collapse, and a severe humanitarian crisis.
According to U.N. reports, more than 6,300 civilians have been killed since the coup, while 19.9 million people—one-third of Myanmar’s population—now require humanitarian aid. More than half the population has been plunged into poverty, and the ongoing war has displaced over 3.5 million people.
Andrews stressed that foreign aid has been a lifeline for millions, and its abrupt removal will lead to further devastation. "People in Myanmar are receiving aid that is literally keeping them alive, and the abrupt termination of this support is going to kill them. This is just a catastrophe that is unfolding. It’s unnecessary and cruel."

Junta’s Reign of Chaos

While Andrews condemned the U.S. decision, he made it clear that the primary cause of Myanmar’s suffering is the military junta. The ruling generals have plunged the country into a state of lawlessness, fueling criminal enterprises and profiting from illicit activities.
Myanmar has become the world's largest supplier of opium, while human trafficking, cyber scams, and sex slavery have flourished under junta control. The military’s grip on financial institutions, such as Myanmar Economic Bank, has facilitated the purchase of weapons used against civilians.
"Going after those financing the junta is like playing whack-a-mole," Andrews said. "The only way to ensure that you are not facilitating weapons transfers is to completely stop doing business with Myanmar Economic Bank."
Additionally, Myanmar has become the deadliest country in the world for landmine casualties. "More people are now killed or maimed by landmines in Myanmar each year than in any other country," Andrews revealed, highlighting yet another consequence of the junta’s unrelenting violence.
Despite these challenges, international financial pressure is having some impact. Banks have increased due diligence and severed ties with junta-controlled institutions. As a result, military procurement through the global financial system has decreased by over a third.
A Call for Action

Andrews urged world leaders to take immediate action to prevent further humanitarian disaster. He called for coordinated efforts to hold the junta accountable and for the restoration of humanitarian aid.
"This is politics in its worst form, sacrificing human lives to make a bad political point based on fabrications and distortions," he said. "We must take a stand."
Andrews will present his latest report on Myanmar to the U.N. Human Rights Council on Wednesday, where further discussions on potential international responses are expected.
The people of Myanmar continue to suffer under a brutal military regime. While the international community debates its role, one fact remains clear: the junta is the root cause of the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.
 

BOB Post