"The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management of the National Unity Government of the Republic of Union of Myanmar expresses its sincere gratitude to the United Nations agencies, Development partners, international non-governmental organizations, Red Cross Movement components and civil society and volunteer organizations across Myanmar and respective regions for their continuous efforts to respond to the humanitarian needs of the people of Myanmar. Since the military staged an illegal coup on 1 February, repression of peaceful protesters by the security forces, including killings, arbitrary arrests and direct attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, have caused a widespread human rights and humanitarian crisis. The security forces continue to use live ammunitions, and in some areas with heavy artillery and airstrikes. The recent use of violence by the security forces against the people in and around the town of Mindat in Chin and in Demoso, Loikaw and Mese townships in Kayah states, is the latest example of the campaign of terror and repression that has relentlessly targeted the people of Myanmar who, despite the threats to their lives and the lives of their loved ones, continue to stand firm in support of democracy. These senseless acts of horror have caused hundreds of civilian deaths, thousands of injuries and displaced tens of thousands of people, forcing them to seek safety away from their homes. In conflict-affected areas, the humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable, such as those living in situations of internal displacement and in host communities, were already significant before the coup. Around one million people in these areas are highly dependent on humanitarian assistance. The escalation of conflict in a number of these areas to levels unseen in years and the indiscriminate attacks by the military against civilians and civilian areas have worsened existing vulnerabilities or generated new needs. In areas where people used to live peacefully, many now require emergency medical, food, and essential assistance because of the immediate impact of the violence. In many of these areas, income-generating opportunities have been destroyed and access to healthcare and other services has been severely curtailed. Children, women and the elderly frequently bear the brunt of the violence and many are in urgent need of food, water, medical, shelter, sanitation and hygiene assistance, as well as COVID-19-related support. For many years, international and national humanitarian organizations in Myanmar have cooperated with the democratically elected government of Myanmar and responded tirelessly to people's humanitarian needs. Their assistance and commitment have been greatly appreciated. Today, the people of Myanmar are in need of even more humanitarian assistance. We welcome United Nations Agencies, Development partners, international non-governmental organizations, the Red Cross Movement components and civil society and volunteer organizations across Myanmar and respective regions to continue their efforts to provide assistance to the most vulnerable people Myanmar guided by the essential humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, operational independence and neutrality. In this context: ^ We appreciate the commitments by the United Nations in Myanmar made on 12 February and 21 May to continue standing with the people of Myanmar in these difficult times. > We welcome the statement made by the United Nations in Myanmar on 21 May and join the call for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure and the facilitation of humanitarian relief through ensuring safe and unimpeded humanitarian access. ^ We call on all humanitarian assistance taskforces and relevant parties, ethnic armed organizations and all relevant parties to facilitate timely, unimpeded and safe access of humanitarian organizations to all those in need of assistance, without discrimination and regardless of political considerations, acknowledging that gaining access to the population in need might require interaction between the providers of assistance and all parties. ^ We thank member states and donors for their financial support to humanitarian operations to date and call on them to strengthen this support to address both, people's existing exacerbating and emerging humanitarian needs. ^ We express the support of the National Unity Government and renew our commitment to continue cooperation to address the people's humanitarian needs..."