SALON

Monday, Nov 5, 2012 3:45 PM UTC

Group: Myanmar ethnic tensions block medical aid

By

Topics: From the Wires,

BANGKOK (AP) — The European aid group Doctors Without Borders said Monday it has been prevented from providing essential medical services because of tensions between Buddhists and Muslims in western Myanmar.

The group said antagonism between Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims had led to threats that have prevented it from providing health care for tens of thousands of people from both religions.

“It is outrageous that doctors are not allowed to carry out their duties providing care for those that need it,” including some in life-threatening conditions, said the group’s operations manager for Myanmar, Joe Belliveau.

The government said last week that 89 people were killed, 136 were injured and more than 32,000 made homeless in communal violence in Rakhine state last month in which more than 5,000 houses were burned down. Similar violence in June left about 90 people dead and 75,000 homeless.

Tensions remain high, with many Rakhine Buddhists calling for the segregation or expulsion of the Rohingya, and criticizing agencies that provide them with aid.

Doctors Without Borders said the tensions prevented it from helping people displaced by the crisis as well as others in need of normal clinical care.

Because of the threats, many of the group’s staff are unwilling to carry out their work, “even though what we are doing is simply providing medical aid, and is in no way involved in the political situation,” Belliveau said by phone from the Netherlands.

He said those hindering the group’s work were “a small majority but a very vocal one.” The threats were transmitted through letters, in person, on Facebook postings, and on some posters and pamphlets in the Rakhine state capital of Sittwe, he said.

The group, also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres, has worked in Rakhine state since 1994.

Belliveau said the critical moment came last week when the group tried unsuccessfully to reopen a clinic in a primarily Rakhine neighborhood that provides basic health care as well as care for HIV patients. Some protesters carried posters saying “No to MSF” and some doctors were directly threatened, he said. The group had hoped to reopen several such clinics.

Grant Peck

More Grant Peck.

Next Article

You Might Also Like

More Related Stories

Featured Slide Shows

Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

close X
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Thumbnails
  • Fullscreen
  • 1 of 11
  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

  • Recent Slide Shows

  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Thumbnails
  • Fullscreen
  • 1 of 11

Related Videos

More Related Stories

Comments

 0 Comments

Comment Preview

Your name will appear as username ( settings | log out )

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href=""> <b> <em> <strong> <i> <blockquote>

follow salon

Most Read

Popular on Reddit

links from salon.com

From Around the Web

Presented by Scribol
listener_new_rect The Listener: "We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves": Growing up primate

Recommendations