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

Kobayashi, Jun; Aritaka, Nanae; Nozaki, Ikuma; Tabata, Aya; Noda, Shinichiro

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.