Top Philippine diplomat on humanitarian trip to Myanmar ahead of ASEAN summit next month

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Theresa Lazaro arrived in Myanmar on Wednesday for a humanitarian visit ahead of next month's Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.

Lazaro led an ASEAN Monitoring Team (AMT) mission to the AHA Centre in Taunggyi, southern Shan State, where she was joined by representatives of ASEAN member states and Japan, according to a statement by the Foreign Ministry posted on the US social media company X.

The mission distributed bags of rice, family and hygiene kits to internally displaced people.

Lazaro will also lead the symbolic handover of a religious building.

The visit aims to support humanitarian assistance to affected and displaced communities in Myanmar.

The Philippines holds the ASEAN chairmanship.

Saadet Gökce