New york: The Philippines has highlighted the pressing need for humanitarian assistance in Myanmar as the civil war in the country marked its fifth year this 2026. Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, serving as the special envoy of the 2026 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chair on Myanmar, briefed the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in New York on the situation in the Southeast Asian state, noting Manila's efforts to fully implement the Five-Point Consensus (5PC).
According to Philippines News Agency, Secretary Lazaro emphasized ASEAN's efforts to advance the Five-Point Consensus. She stressed the urgency of delivering humanitarian assistance and called for renewed cooperation in supporting a Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned pathway to peace. Her remarks were shared in a post on X on Saturday.
The military coup in February 2021 has triggered widespread displacement and severe economic deterioration in Myanmar. The World Health Organization, in its February situation report, noted that access to humanitarian aid had been "increasingly blocked," mainly due to a dramatic rise in armed activities. Regions such as Chin, Rakhine, and Sagaing are most affected, with intensified conflict impeding health service delivery, as patients and health workers struggle to access health facilities.
Based on recent data from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, Burma (AAPP), a total of 30,448 pro-democracy activists and civilians have been arrested in Myanmar since the military coup was staged. Of this number, 22,797 remain detained, while 129 are facing the death penalty. The AAPP reported that at least 7,777 of the total arrested were confirmed killed, with about 4,500 deaths pending verification.
