The United Nations has denounced airstrikes and shelling by Myanmar’s junta on areas devastated by the March 28 earthquake.
Despite announcing a ceasefire, the junta has reportedly launched over 120 attacks since the quake.
The UN Human Rights Office said the attacks might violate international humanitarian law.
According to the civilian National Unity Government (NUG), junta airstrikes and artillery attacks between March 28 and April 8 killed at least 72 civilians.
On Wednesday, junta airstrikes on Sagaing Region and Chin State reportedly killed over 30 people, raising the death toll to over 100 in less than two weeks.
The junta dropped two 500lb bombs on In Pin Hla village school in Kawlin Township, Sagaing Region, on Thursday, killing three people, including a child.
UN Human Rights Office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said: “At a moment when the sole focus should be on ensuring humanitarian aid gets to disaster zones, the military is instead launching attacks.
“We call on the military authorities to remove any and all obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian assistance and to cease military operations,” her statement said.
Shamdasani called on the junta to release all political prisoners, including State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint, who have been detained since the February 2021 coup.
The site of the quake’s epicenter in Sagaing Region remains largely cut off from formal aid with communities forced to organize search and rescue missions while struggling to provide necessities amid ongoing bombardments and aid blockades.
Tom Andrews, UN special rapporteur on Myanmar’s human rights, urged the UN Security Council to act.
Andrews said the junta violated its ceasefire numerous times and humanitarian workers faced intimidation and extortion at junta checkpoints, blocking off aid from opposition-controlled areas, including Sagaing Region.
“This is making a terrible situation devastatingly worse,” he said.
A Red Cross Society of China convoy came under junta fire shortly after the earthquake.
“The Security Council should urgently consider a resolution that demands that all parties to the conflict in Myanmar cease offensive military operations and that the junta immediately end its human rights violations and obstruction of humanitarian relief efforts,” Andrews said.
He said the Security Council should call on UN agencies, member states and other humanitarian actors to work with the NUG and other anti-regime groups to ensure assistance reached those in need.
Ahead of the Thingyan New Year celebrations this weekend, the UN is urging a collective commitment to peace and humanitarian support.
