Thailand and Myanmar are planned to form a special task force to promote in providing humanitarian assistance for the people displaced by fighting in Myanmar and could expand it to include other aid agencies, according to Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 8.
Thailand hopes that the initiative will help increase Myanmar’s engagement with the Asean and the international community, it said in a statement.
Heavy fighting has intensified in border areas as ethnic armed groups attack the military’s bases.
The United Nations estimates more than 300,000 people have been displaced by fighting since armed groups’ offensive started in late October, among more than 2 million forced to flee since a 2021 military took over.
China and Thailand are worried about a refugee influx.
"The Myanmar side will soon send a delegation to Thailand to discuss this matter. If the initial phase of implementation is successful, other aid agencies may be invited to have a role in the future," announced Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thailand.
The decision was made during discussions between Myanmar’s foreign minister U Than Swe and Thai counterpart Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara at the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation meeting in China ,according to the Reuters News Agency.
Ref: Reuters
