EAO Region, 29 April 2021 -- After three months of Myanmar's peoples struggle for peace, democracy and a dignified future since the military coup, many may have already forgotten their cause. But the international movement of effective solidarity is ongoing. Even the ASEAN leaders failed to agree on some viable support from the 10 country South-East Asian nations block, and the international society and other Asian countries show only timid signs of concrete support for this struggling people. The number of victims rose (April 26) to 750 civilians and the number of people imprisoned by the military junta is more than 3400.

In the meantime the NGU (New Government of National Unity) is getting more organized and visible both in Myanmar and abroad, while the violent response of the military continues and the supporters of the CDM (Civil Disobedience Movement) has been relaunched with enthusiasm - a new wave of protests against the military junta and its coup. They are asking people to stop paying for electricity, loans for agriculture, to stop sending their children to school. The new campaign will further torpedo the national economy, already weakend by civil disobedience strikes.

The appeal addressed by the EAO Salesian Family (SDB and ASC) to sustain the poor people in this country, especially the fundraising in South Korea and Thailand brings some important fruits. The Association of Major Superiors of Thailand jointly with the Chang Mai Bishop Francis Vira, launched concrete aid for the Karen refugees crossing the boarder from Myanmar to Thailand (MaeHeongSon) with real commitment.

From Myanmar Salesians we hear that .... 'We are fine. The fighting is still going on and just last night around 10 p.m. there was shooting on the lane in front of our community, but none of us was harmed. It seems that the military were after some activists...' In another community with a boarding house facility the Salesians restarted daily Eucharistic adoration jointly with Salesians and boarding students.

We know this is a long-term struggle. Without being able to visit and sustain our Salesian family members in Myanmar, we simple stay 'We stand by you, dear people of Myanmar' and our prayers and solidarity continue!' During this month before the Mary Help of Christian feast, we keep you in a special way in our prayers!

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