Press Statement
It has been learnt with profound sadness that U Pyae Sone Win Maung, a local staff member of the World Health Organization (WHO) passed away early Tuesday due to injuries suffered when the motor vehicle he was driving came under attack near Yar Maung bridge in Minbya Township, Rakhine State on 20 April 2020. It is all the more perturbing to learn that the attack was launched on a vehicle which clearly bore the WHO emblem and was transporting swab samples from COVID-19 suspects to the National Health Laboratory in Yangon.
The Government of Myanmar expresses its deepest condolences and sympathy to the United Nations, the WHO and the bereaved family of the victim. The Government deeply regrets that such a reprehensible act was perpetrated on a WHO vehicle deployed on a humanitarian mission in support of the unyielding efforts of the Government of Myanmar to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Government of Myanmar will continue to work closely with the United Nations and the WHO to overcome the global pandemic notwithstanding the challenge posed by armed groups. The Government is fully committed to investigate the incident and to prevent recurrence of such abhorrent acts.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Nay Pyi Taw
Dated. 21 April 2020
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