A delegation, headed by Martin Griffiths, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, arrived in Naypyidaw on August 15. During their visit, they engaged in discussions with key junta leaders, including Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, according to local news outlets and junta-backed media.   

Amidst the United Nations' assertion of severe humanitarian aid restrictions imposed by the junta in Myanmar, the UN humanitarian chief met with the military chief to address these pressing concerns.  

The junta reported that they discussed the lack of assistance from international organizations, including the United Nations, during severe incidents such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Cyclone Mocha crisis in Myanmar.  

The UN humanitarian chief also held separate meetings with the junta’s Foreign Affairs Minister Than Swe, Home Affairs Minister Lt-Gen Yar Pyae and Union Government Office No 2 Minister Ko Ko Hlaing.   

Due to the meeting, analysts expect that the military junta will relax strict rules limiting aid to victims of Cyclone Mocha.   

New-York based international non-governmental organization Human Rights Watch warned on June 20 of the escalating obstruction of humanitarian aid by the Myanmar junta in the month following Cyclone Mocha, putting thousands of lives at immediate risk and endangering millions of people. 

Although some aid has got through, millions of people in need have reportedly received little or no humanitarian aid over the last three months.