UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. Andrew Kirkwood welcomes the announcement by the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Services of a ceasefire from 21 December 2018 to 30 April 2019 with the goal of enabling peace talks and national reconciliation with all Ethnic Armed Organizations, including non-signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement.

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Myanmar Knut Ostby is following with great concern the flooding and extensive devastation caused by heavy rains in Bago, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine, Sagaing and other States.

His thoughts are with all those families whose lives have been impacted and is alarmed by the destruction of property, infrastructure and agricultural land.

I have been following with concern the reports of numerous civilian casualties resulting from recent clashes between the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Government security forces in Muse Township in Northern Shan State.

I urge all relevant parties to exercise maximum restraint in protecting the civilian population from further casualties, and to allow the delivery of humanitarian assistance to affected communities.

(Yangon, 2 May 2018): “Ten years ago today, Myanmar was devastated by cyclone Nargis – by far the worst natural disaster in the country’s history. The cyclone made landfall near Hainggyikyun in Ayeyarwady Region on 2 May 2008, with wind speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour, accompanied by heavy rain and storm surges of up to 12 metres in certain areas. The cyclone left approximately 140,000 people dead or unaccounted for, with close to 2.4 million people affected in 37 townships in Ayeyarwady and Yangon regions.

(Yangon, 20 April 2018): “I am deeply concerned about reports of an escalation in armed conflict in several areas of Kachin State since 7 April. I have been particularly alarmed of reports of civilian casualties and the plight of communities affected by the fighting in Tanai and Hpakant townships, while other areas have been gravely affected as well. This includes possibly up to 2,000 people who reportedly have been displaced from Awng Lawt, Sut Ring Yang and Sut Ra villages in Tanai Township. They are said to be sheltering in a remote forest area and unable to leave.