As emergency aid trickles in, women and girls who were
already vulnerable due to years of conflict, displacement
and economic instability, now face even greater risks from
gender-based violence and exploitation, according to a
UN-led coalition responding to the crisis.
“Girls
are particularly vulnerable, especially when separated from
their families or living in overcrowded shelters without
adequate privacy,” it warned, stressing the need for
protection measures.
“With many caregivers injured
or killed, urgent efforts are needed to identify, protect
and reunify unaccompanied and separated
children.”
The coalition, formally called the Gender
in Humanitarian Action Working Group, is co-led by UN-Women
and the UN reproductive health agency
(UNFPA).
Reports of temporary ceasefire
News
outlets are reporting on Wednesday that Myanmar’s military
junta has announced a temporary ceasefire from 2 to 22 April
to facilitate emergency relief and rescue
operations.
This follows an earlier ceasefire
declaration by armed groups opposing the junta earlier this
week.
Myanmar remains engulfed in a
deepening crisis since the Tatmadaw – as the military is
known – overthrew the democratically elected government in
2021, imprisoning top leaders, including President Win Myint
and State Counsellor Aung San Suu
Kyi.
Pre-existing
vulnerabilities
While estimates indicate that up to
20 million people may be affected by the earthquakes, women
and girls – who already made up more than half of the 10
million people in urgent need of aid before the disaster –
face mounting challenges.
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More than 100,000 pregnant
women have been caught up in the chaos across central
Myanmar, with 12,250 expected to give birth in
April.
The destruction of health facilities and damage
to roads and bridges have cut off access to essential
reproductive health services, endangering pregnant women and
survivors of gender-based violence who rely on medical
support.
“Prior to the earthquakes, women and girls
in Myanmar were already facing significant mental health
stress due to prolonged conflict, political instability, and
economic challenges. The disaster has deepened this
stress,” UN agencies added.
Prioritizing
action
“Women, especially from crisis-affected
communities, must be actively involved in designing and
implementing assessments to ensure their priorities are
reflected,” UN humanitarians underscored.
Women and
girls need safe shelter, clean water, and enough food.
Shelters should have locks, lights and private spaces. They
need secure toilets and bathing areas, along with dignity
kits and menstrual hygiene products.
Adequate lighting
near water points and toilets can reduce the risk of
gender-based violence, especially after dark, with agencies
also stressing the need to involve women-led organizations
in the response.
Many women-led NGOs “are on the
ground and ready to provide support, drawing on their deep
community ties and understanding of the context to
effectively identify and respond to the specific needs of
women and girls,” the UN agencies added.
Limited
funding undermines relief
UN relief chief Tom
Fletcher has issued an urgent appeal for increased funding
to support the aid effort, warning that access to survivors
is severely constrained.
While $5
million has been allocated from the UN Central Emergency
Respond Fund (CERF) the response “has been hampered by a
lack of funding”, he said on Tuesday, alongside
disruptions to communications and transport
networks.
“We are in contact with
authorities on how the international community can do more.
We must have unrestricted, safe access. All parties must
uphold obligations to protect civilians,” he
added.
Meanwhile, the UN Office for Project Services
(UNOPS) has mobilized $12 million in emergency funding,
which is being allocated to partners for cash and food
assistance, non-food items, shelter, water, sanitation,
debris removal and healthcare, including mental health
support.
“We deliver assistance through our valued
partners and are deeply grateful to our donors for their
swift support, enabling this rapid response. We are prepared
to scale up our support as the full extent of the damage
becomes clear,” said Sara Netzer, UNOPS Director in
Myanmar.
