Episode #334: James Rodehaver, head of the UN Human Rights Office on Myanmar, describes the aftermath of the country’s recent earthquake as a crisis layered upon crises. With communities already devastated by a brutal military regime, the natural disaster has only intensified their suffering. Yet instead of pausing hostilities, the military launched over 100 attacks in just nine days—many targeting rescue efforts and civilians. Consistent with a long-standing pattern, the junta has weaponized aid, restricting access to opposition-held areas and rebranding the disaster to channel relief only to zones it controls. The military‘s strategy appears deliberately cruel. Notably, paramotors—silent man-powered gliders used to drop explosives—have struck rescue workers and survivors. Despite a declared ceasefire, attacks continue, reinforcing the military’s aim to break morale in opposition areas.

As a result, the humanitarian response has been severely hampered.  Adding to this, civil society had already been gutted by years of conscription, repression, and exile, so now, the only ones digging through the rubble are poorly equipped civilians, often under threat of violence or forced labor. Rodehaver notes that even informal relief efforts are becoming increasingly difficult.

Rodehaver calls for a coordinated international political push, and a unified resistance front. He envisions a broad platform where anti-junta groups can articulate shared goals. Only through trust, coordination, and outside pressure, he argues, can progress be made. Closing with a personal note, he honors those inside Myanmar: “Their courage and unflappable will to keep on resisting tyranny ... has been inspirational.”