The New Mon State Party made an agreement to work together with the government on the prevention and containment of COVID-19 in their area.
The government’s committee to coordinate with ethnic armed groups on fighting against the pandemic held an online meeting from National Reconciliation and Peace Centre in Yangon yesterday, and it was attended by Chairman of the Committee Dr Tin Myo Win, its Vice Chairman Lt-Gen (retired) Khin Zaw Oo, committee members, NMSP’s CEC member Nai Banyar Lal and its members.
The discussions were based on 7 points of agreement reached at the meeting of 10-members NCA-S EAOs on 8 May.
U Hla Maung Shwe, member of Advisory Board of Peace Commission, said, “The New Mon State Party will carry out preventive measures against COVID-19 at its 18 screen points and will work together with the government. The meeting also discussed possible repercussions on social economic sector in the post COVID-19 disease. We could make good results in the discussions of social, economic, health and education sectors.”
The follow-up meeting between the two sides will be convened in the third week of May.
U Hla Maung Shwe added, “They also agreed to work on the issues of returnees from foreign countries in their area while only border crossing in Myawady Township of Kayin State is allowed for entry.
A total of 15 ethnic armed groups have contacted the coordination committee to implement COVID-19 measures, and the committee will hold discussions with the Chin National Front on 14 May, the Pa-O National Liberation Organization on 15 May respectively.—Ye Gaung Nyunt
(Translated by Aung Khin)
