Myanmar Faces Triple Hardships: Coup, COVID-19, and Floods

Thousands Displaced by Heavy Rain in Southern Region

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] In Myanmar, where the COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly spreading following the coup, citizens' suffering is worsening due to the added impact of floods.

According to Radio Free Asia on the 27th, heavy rains over the past weekend caused flooding in many areas of southern Myanmar, including the Kayin, Mon, and Tanintharyi regions. It is reported that about 3,000 residents in these areas have evacuated their homes.

A relief organization official in Mon state told Radio Free Asia, "We are so busy caring for COVID-19 patients and cremating those who died from COVID-19 that we have no time to assist flood victims."

There are also concerns about additional COVID-19 infections. Due to the flood overlapping with the already high number of COVID-19 patients, evacuees have no choice but to shelter together with COVID-19 patients in flooded homes.

On the Facebook page of the Karen Information Center (KIC) in Kayin state, many photos were posted showing volunteers and health officials carrying COVID-19 patients on beds to places not submerged by water. KIC reported that flooding affected an area along the border with Thailand where about 500 households live, causing hundreds to evacuate.

Joy Singhal, head of the Myanmar office of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), said, "The flood damage is causing even greater hardship to residents already suffering from the rapidly increasing COVID-19 cases."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.