COVID-19 control during a humanitarian crisis; the need for emergency response at the Thai-Myanmar border as an alternative channel

Tropical Medicine and Health

Ikuma Nozaki¹  Shinichiro Noda²  Jun Kobayashi³  Aya Tabata⁴  Nanae Aritaka⁴ 

[1] Bureau of International Health Cooperation, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, 162-8655, Tokyo, Japan;Department of Global Health, Graduate School of Health Sciences, University of the Ryukyus, 207 Uehara, Nishihara, 903-0215, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa, Japan;Bureau of International Health Cooperation, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, 162-8655, Tokyo, Japan;Department of Global Health, Graduate School of Health Sciences, University of the Ryukyus, 207 Uehara, Nishihara, 903-0215, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa, Japan;Japan Association for Mae Tao Clinic, 3-21-7 Ginowan, 901-2211, Ginowan, Okinawa, Japan;Japan Association for Mae Tao Clinic, 3-21-7 Ginowan, 901-2211, Ginowan, Okinawa, Japan;

关键词: Thai-Myanmar border;    Refugee;    COVID-19;    Alternative channel;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s41182-021-00323-1

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

Following the coup in Myanmar, humanitarian assistance, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) control, must be implemented on the Thai-Myanmar border in the framework of international cooperation. The actual number of refugees was expected to increase in the Karen state at the end of March 2021, and they are at risk of contracting COVID-19 as they live in overcrowded conditions without access to basic sanitation. The global community has been hesitant to provide direct support because of fearing that such support would benefit the military. To reach this most vulnerable population, further strengthening of support through the Thai-Myanmar border as an alternative channel that was used before Myanmar's democratic transition in 2011 is necessary.

【 授权许可】

CC BY