More ethnic armed groups enlist in coronavirus fight in Myanmar
A still from a video about the Arakan Army posted on YouTube. The Ministry of Home Affairs said the people investigated provided regular financial support to the armed group that has conducted violent attacks in Myanmar, with one giving regular monthly contributions.PHOTO: RADIO FREE ASIA/ YOUTUBE. Sketched by the Pan Pacific Agency.
NAY PYI TAW, May 26, 2020, Myanmar Times. More ethnic armed groups are joining the government’s effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and the Tatmadaw (military) is reaching out to find out what they need to fight the virus in their territories, Myanmar Times reported.
Tatmadaw spokesperson Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun said the Tatmadaw continues its effort to improve trust and confidence with ethnic armed groups across the country.
He said the Tatmadaw recently met with the Karen National Union (KNU), Karen National Liberation Army, and Klo Htoo Baw Kayin Organisation in Kayin State; the Shan State Progress Party in Shan State; and the Karenni National Progress Party in Kayah State.
The Tatmadaw gave medical supplies to the ethnic armed groups and discussed their needs in fighting the disease, Brig Gen Zaw Min Tun said.
“We improved mutual trust and confidence, and were able to show how much we care about the people and the country. We expect to bring about peace through our cooperation against COVID-19,” he said.
He said the Tatmadaw did not tell the groups what to do but just offered to help them develop their own plans to fight the virus.
Saw Mutu Say Poe, chair of the KNU, said the Tatmadaw donated 30,000 surgical masks, 1200 N95 masks, 750 sets of protective gear, and other medical supplies. “We need to march forward united. We will cooperate with the Tatmadaw in preventing COVID-19,” he said.
The Tatmadaw said its families had donated K4.475 billion (US$3.18 million) in medical supplies and food, not only to ethnic armed groups but also to other communities in the past two months.
Earlier in May, the Tatmadaw sent medical teams to the United Wa State Army, the biggest armed group in the country, and the National Democratic Alliance Army.
Last week, it gave medical supplies to the Kachin Independence Army, the second largest ethnic armed group, whose leaders vowed to help the government fight COVID-19.
“Some people are criticising us, but we will continue doing our jobs for the country,” Brig Gen Zaw Min Tun said. “The Tatmadaw is a reliable partner of the people.”
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