Today, Thailand initiated the delivery of humanitarian aid to individuals affected by internal conflicts between the Myanmar junta and ethnic groups. The Thai Red Cross branch in Mae Sot commenced the effort by providing 4,000 relief bags, containing rice, dried food, and other essentials, catering to approximately 20,000 individuals. These supplies were handed over to the chairman of the Myanmar Red Cross Society in Myawaddy district.
The handover ceremony, overseen by Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, witnessed the participation of local authorities, communities from Tak and Myanmar’s Kayin State, and the Executive Director of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre).
Following the ceremony, convoys carrying the aid departed from the second Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Tak’s Mae Sot district, bound for three pilot distribution sites in Kayin State.
To ensure effective and transparent distribution, the AHA Centre will provide technical support for monitoring, collaborating with local partners. This bilateral initiative between Thailand and Myanmar aims to address the needs of displaced individuals in Myanmar, reflecting Thailand’s goodwill toward its neighbor.
The success of this pilot project underscores the collaborative efforts of the Thai and Myanmar Red Cross Societies, as well as local communities in Tak and Kayin State. Moving forward, Thailand is committed to further enhancing humanitarian assistance, particularly for those residing near the Thai-Myanmar border.
