Military supporters carry Myanmar's national flags during a protest in Yangon on Saturday to demand an investigation of the Union Election Commission.(File photo by= AFP-JIJI) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] U.N. data showed Thursday that North Korea has donated US$300,000 to a project by the United Nations to provide humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, a rare case for the impoverished state to join global aid efforts.
The North made the donation to the U.N.-led project aimed at offering anti-coronavirus support, food assistance, and other aid to Myanmar, it showed in the data from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). North Korea is among more than a dozen countries and organizations that have chipped in for the project. South Korea has also donated $600,000 to the cause. OCHA data showed that North Korea last made such a donation to a U.N.-led assistance project in 2005.
The North's donation came amid brewing political turmoil in Myanmar in the wake of a military coup in February. North Korea and Myanmar have maintained friendly relations. Meanwhile, previously in January, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent a message to Myanmar's president on the occasion of the 73rd anniversary of the Southeast Asian country's independence and expressed hope for further advancement in their traditionally friendly ties.