Tashkent: "Kanweer" has urged the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to address the urgent humanitarian issues in Myanmar, hoping to garner international support for timely and equal assistance to the affected population. The call was made during the 150th Session of the IPU Assembly in Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Wan Muhammad Noor Matha, Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the National Assembly, attended the assembly to discuss topics for the emergency agenda. Among the proposed items was the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, an issue supported by Thailand and the Philippines. Mr. Kanwee Sipsang, an MP from the Thamma Party, emphasized the need for urgent action, highlighting Myanmar's status as an IPU observer and the recent 7.7 Richter earthquake that resulted in over 3,300 deaths and impacted more than 1.1 million people, leaving many in temporary shelters with limited resources.
Mr. Kanwee noted that Myanmar has long faced humanitarian challenges, including instability and migration, with over 15 million people requiring assistance. Despite a ceasefire post-earthquake, airstrikes persist, exacerbating the crisis. He stressed the importance of international coordination and relief, urging the IPU Assembly to unify in support of Myanmar. However, the proposal failed to meet the two-thirds threshold required for adoption. Other emergency agenda items, such as trade wars and conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, also did not pass.
During the session, discussions included insights from a UNHCR representative about the displacement of over 3.5 million people in Myanmar. The conversation focused on international cooperation to address the crisis. Mr. Kanwee inquired about humanitarian aid provisions following budget cuts, with UNHCR confirming continued support. He proposed that the Commission on the Promotion of Respect for International Humanitarian Law send representatives to the Thai-Myanmar border to assess and facilitate cooperation in addressing the crisis.