UN Secretary General António Guterres: Act Now to Prevent the Famine in Rakhine State, Burma
UN Secretary General António Guterres
Sign this petition to the UN Secretary General to help prevent famine in Rakhine State, Burma/Myanmar.
The clock is ticking for the people of Rakhine State, Burma/Myanmar. The United Nations Development Programme has issued a chilling warning: famine is looming in 2025 unless the UN takes action.
A Region in Crisis
Rakhine State is no stranger to hardship. For years, its people have endured violence, displacement, and deprivation. The Burmese military’s indiscriminate airstrikes and artillery attacks have devastated communities, forcing more than half a million people to flee their homes. Compounding this devastation are severe restrictions on aid and trade that have crippled the region’s economy and left countless families without access to food or basic necessities.
The situation is dire. Food shortages are escalating, and without intervention, the region’s already vulnerable population will face the horrors of starvation. We can prevent this disaster but we need to act NOW.
The Role of the United Nations
As the world’s foremost international organization, the United Nations has both the authority and the responsibility to act. This is not a time to delegate but to act. UN Secretary-General António Guterres must step up and prevent famine in Rakhine State.
Time Is of the Essence
History has shown the devastating consequences of inaction. Famine is not just a natural disaster; it is a failure of human responsibility. The warning signs in Rakhine State are clear, and the solutions are within reach. The UN must muster up the political will and courage to address this preventable disaster.
The people of Rakhine State deserve better. They deserve our support, our solidarity, and our action. They cannot afford to wait.
A Call to Action
We urge the United Nations and its member states to prioritize this crisis. The time for statements and reports has passed; now is the time for tangible, coordinated action. Let us not look back on this moment with regret for what could have been done. Instead, let us act boldly and decisively to prevent famine and save lives in Rakhine State.
The people of Rakhine cannot wait. The world must act now.
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UN Secretary General António Guterres
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“Rakhine faces the imminent threat of acute famine.” This alarming statement from the United Nations Development Programme underscores the severity of the crisis unfolding in Rakhine State, western Burma.
Rakhine State, home to a diverse population including the Rakhine people and ethnic and religious minorities such as the Rohingya, is on the brink of disaster. The Burmese military’s ongoing campaign of indiscriminate airstrikes, artillery attacks, and deliberate restrictions on aid and trade has created conditions of widespread starvation. The military’s calculated use of famine as a weapon to subjugate populations violates international law and humanity’s most basic principles.
Over two million people are at risk of starvation, with predictions that by spring 2025, the state will produce only 20% of the food it needs. This comes amidst mass displacement, with over 600,000 individuals already fleeing their homes, including 250,000 Rohingya. These dire circumstances demand urgent and decisive action.
A business-as-usual approach will not suffice. Negotiating with the Burmese military for greater humanitarian access has proven ineffective and only serves to embolden their inhumane tactics. The time has come for a bold and coordinated international response.
We urge you to prioritize the following actions:
1. Establish a Humanitarian Corridor: Open an aid corridor from Bangladesh to Rakhine State to deliver immediate relief. This initiative should be the cornerstone of an expanded and reimagined strategy for delivering aid to Burma’s most vulnerable populations.
2. Facilitate Cross-Border Trade: Engage with Bangladesh to enable trade that can stimulate the local economy and provide essential goods, such as seeds, fertilizer, and medicines, critical for long-term recovery.
3. Review UN Aid Delivery Mechanisms: Ensure that UN assistance is not funneled through Burmese military-controlled areas, which compromises humanitarian principles and denies aid to those in urgent need. Focus on delivering aid directly to areas controlled by local and ethnic administrations.
4. Engage Key Stakeholders: Work with the Arakan Army and Rohingya civil society organizations, both of whom have called for the Bangladesh border to be opened for aid and trade. Their cooperation is crucial for addressing immediate needs and fostering longer-term stability.
The United Nations has the moral responsibility and capacity to act decisively. History has shown us the devastating consequences of delayed action. Let us not repeat these mistakes. Your leadership and commitment are essential to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and uphold the principles of justice and human dignity.
We implore you to act with urgency to address this escalating crisis. The world is watching, and the lives of millions depend on swift and effective intervention.