Position Papers

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•	Humanitarian assistance [Word]
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Position of the NCGUB on HIV/AIDS – BURMA

27 March 2002

The root cause of the humanitarian crisis in Burma including the HIV/AIDS crisis is –

the lack of a democratic government accountable to the people, and
the military’s focus on power instead of promoting the interest of the people.

Humanitarian assistance from the international community (including HIV/AIDS programs) should be designed to contribute to positive democratic changes in Burma. International assistance that does not take into account the political situation in Burma [and that fails to ensure the participation of the people in making decision of their own affairs] will not only be ineffective, but it will aggravate the humanitarian crisis by prolonging military rule in Burma. The assistance provided must not support the military regime.

Existing national and UN data indicate that the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Burma is very serious and needs to be addressed urgently if it is to be contained. A 2001 European Union HIV/AIDS Situation Assessment indicates that the HIV epidemic in Burma has ‘bridged’ from populations of high-risk behaviours to the general population. This could endanger the future of the people and the Burmese nation. Conditions in Burma are also undermining efforts to contain the disease in the region.

The existing public health system in Burma and the centralized military command structure are grossly inadequate and incapable of implementing a national HIV/AIDS program, especially since the populace is alienated from and distrustful of the military and its administrative infrastructure.

The centralized system prohibits the rights of health professionals from sharing information, conducting research and public survey, having partnerships with Foreign Research Institutes and Foundations. SPDC is reluctant to admit the negative developments in any sector of the society. Any attempts of the professionals to present the true situation were usually suppressed. Those who shared accurate statistics on HIV/AIDS in Burma in international forums were dismissed from their jobs. The statistics on HIV/AIDS provided by the Ministry of Health are not reliable. Under these circumstances, it is impossible to make correct needs assessment on magnitude of the problem and to design an effective National Strategy and Program for the prevention and containment of HIV/AIDS epidemic.

UN agencies and international NGOs working through existing Ministry of Health structures have also been hampered in their work by security and politically-related restrictions and the lack of a comprehensive national program. In contrast, border-based HIV/AIDS related public health programs have built trust, expertise and capacity to operate in remote and war-torn regions of the country. The election winning National League for Democracy led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other ethnic nationality parties and leaders also have the confidence and trust of the population in general.

An effective national HIV/AIDS program must, therefore, be designed to include the full participation of all sectors of Burmese society including the NLD and the ethnic nationalities against whom the military is currently engaged in armed hostilities.

At the same time, underlying factors such as trafficking of women, growing sex industry and child prostitution, drugs trafficking and increased numbers of drug-addicts need to be addressed. The role of women organizations, youth and students organizations, religious and community organizations, victims of HIV/AIDS and their family members must also be acknowledged and ensure their active participation in the National HIV/AIDS Program.

If humanitarian assistance is to be delivered to the people of Burma, the following criteria must be met. The NCGUB defines humanitarian assistance as food, clothing, shelter and health care (including HIV/AIDS), which are the basic necessities of the people. The assistance must -

Be delivered only after prior consultation with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD.
Be delivered only after prior consultation with independent local (ethnic nationality) leaders and community organizations.
Be delivered directly to people.
Be delivered through credible international NGOs.
Be delivered by NGOs that abide by an international Code of Conduct.
Not be delivered through the military or organizations directly or indirectly under its control. This includes the GONGOs such as the Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, the Myanmar Medical Association, the Myanmar Red Cross Society, and the Union Solidarity Development Association.
Be delivered to the most needy areas including ‘Black’ and ‘Grey’ security areas in ethnic nationality states which are off-limit to foreigners and international aid agencies including UN agencies.
Be delivered to border areas – ethnic nationality states - which are generally designated ‘Black’ and ‘Grey’ areas where the need is greatest (In order to do this, a nation-wide cease-fire is needed. Current cease-fires with several ethnic armies are are a patch work and inadequate for implementing a national HIV/AIDS program).
Be delivered across national borders if it is not possible to reach the most needy areas because of obstruction by the SPDC and its military.
Be monitored by an (international) independent impartial body. The acceptance of the need for such a body by all parties especially the military and the establishment of a well-designed monitoring system are crucial for the successful implementation of a large-scale national HIV/AIDS program.

For further information:

Maryland – NCGUB Information Office, Tel: 301-424-4810, Fax: 301-424-4812 email: ncgub@ncgub.net

New York – NCGUB UN Service Office, Tel: 1-212-338-0048, Fax: 1-212-338-0049, email: thhtun@attglobal.net

Brussels – Euro-Burma Office, Tel: 32-2-280-0691, Fax: 32-2-280-0310