On September 15, the Myanmar Alin newspaper reported that the Military Council issued instructions for NGOs and INGOs engaged in humanitarian aid activities in Myanmar to undergo mandatory registration.
Union Minister Lt. Gen. Yar Pyae of the Military Council made this statement during a workshop in Nay Pyi Taw on September 14, aimed at facilitating the registration process for NGOs and INGOs.
"We have to seek the help of organizations for the development of rural areas, border areas, and remote regions. To enable these organizations to provide assistance in accordance with the law, it is necessary to make the registration process mandatory," said Lt. Gen. Yar Pyae.
The Union Minister of the Military Council emphasized that aid organizations and countries must refrain from utilizing NGOs and INGOs for unlawful purposes. He stressed that NGOs and INGOs should strictly adhere to legal guidelines while conducting their humanitarian activities. NGOs, INGOs, and other social aid organizations engaged in humanitarian efforts have expressed their challenges arising from delays in obtaining registration approval from the Military Council.
A woman official from an organization based in Sittwe Township remarked, "Registering with the Military Council has been an arduous process. Our attempts to register with the Military Council have been ongoing for almost two years, and the approval process remains uncertain. Even when registration is granted, we face restrictions on reaching areas in need. Additionally, there are delays as we must await travel authorization."
Additionally, it is noted that acquiring approval from the relevant department is a prerequisite for the registration process. This directive from the Military Council, mandating the registration of NGOs and INGOs, is raising concerns about the potential hurdles it may create for humanitarian aid activities.
In Rakhine state, NGOs, INGOs, and civil society organizations engaged in humanitarian aid are encountering obstructions at certain checkpoints, and facing stoppages due to the absence of travel authorization from the Military Council.
Cyclone Mocha, which struck Rakhine State on May 14, impacted over 1.5 million people. Despite more than four months having passed since the cyclone hit, there are still areas affected by the disaster that have not received the necessary humanitarian assistance.
U Htein Than Maung, the village administrator of Thaung Da Rar in Rathedaung Township, stated, "Our village received one rice donation from WFP, but other NGOs and INGOs have not been able to provide assistance. We've heard that their inability to help is due to a lack of permission. We hope that NGOs and INGOs will be granted the freedom to offer their aid."
In August, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the Chairman of the Military Council, issued instructions to the relevant ministries to ensure the proper and rigorous oversight of NGOs and INGOs operating in Myanmar.
