MORE ACCESS FOR HUMANITARIAN RELIEF IN CONFLICTMORE ACCESS FOR HUMANITARIAN RELIEF IN CONFLICT ZONES

By D. Arul Rajoo

BANGKOK, June 8 (Bernama) -- While steps to deal with the increasing natural
disasters in the region are gaining pace, Asean countries should pay more
attention and create better access to humanitarian crisis in several conflict
areas in the region, MERCY president Dr Jemilah Mahmood said Monday.

She said while access was being given by governments to disaster areas, they
should allow civil society organisations (CSO) to engage in humanitarian relief
efforts in complex situations like conflict areas in Southern Philippines,
Southern Thailand and Myanmar where the Rohingya people are situated.

"We know countries are always saying it's a domestic affair when it comes to
conflict within their territories. But it also involves humanitarian crisis and
we need the CSO's support," she said after delivering a keynote address at the
Asean Defence Establishments and CSO Cooperation on Non-Traditional Security
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Workshop, here.

Citing the Tripartite Core Group which was established by Asean, United
Nations and the Myanmar Government to assist in the aftermath of the Cyclone
Nargis last year, Dr Jemilah said it could be extended to help in the
humanitarian crisis involving the Rohingya people.

"With the Asean Charter having been ratified by member countries, the Asean
Secretariat can play a leading role in taking up humanitarian issues in member
countries," she said.

She said the role of CSOs was crucial in complex situations where not all
governments were open to the presence of military personnel and assets from
other countries, citing the sharp contrast between the tsunami in Indonesia and
cyclone in Myanmar.

"As humanitarian bodies, we are neutral, trusted and partial. It's not a
problem when it comes to natural disasters, but a big challenge in complex
situations like in Sri Lanka...they should open up and allow more access to
CSO," she said.

Dr Jemilah's view was echoed by Jessica Dator-Bercilla from Christian Aid,
Philippines who said Asean should play a bigger role in engaging CSOs' help in
conflict zones like Mindanao.

"This is a dilemma in Mindanao, especially with the typhoon season now. The
military is engaged in war with rebels but if there is a natural disaster, they
have to play the role of providing humanitarian relief," she said.

"In the last major crisis, the government refused to call for outside help
although the CSOs had said the problem was big. We need an Asean mechanism in
this situation, like the one implemented in Myanmar because bilateral mechanism
that works well during the tsunami effort in Acheh is unlikely in conflict
zones," she said.
-- BERNAMA