For Immediate Release: Over 200 CSOs Call For IFI Loans To Burma To Be Frozen And Reassessed

Two hundred and eighteen civil society organizations from Burma (Myanmar) and globally have urged
International Financial Institutions (IFIs) to immediately freeze loans and other financial
assistance to the country amounting to an estimated US$11Billion. In a joint letter led by 120
civil society groups in Burma (Myanmar), signatory organizations demanded that IFIs recall loans
linked to the junta and military companies, and reassess engagement to ensure they do not
benefit the junta that overturned the elected government in the 1 February 2021 coup d’état.
The letter emphasized the need for IFIs to stand with the civilian population instead of the
Burmese junta, military (Tatmadaw)-linked companies, or their cronies.

The letter sent to the World Bank Group, International Monetary Fund, Asian Development
Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank on Wednesday 17 February, demanded
that the IFIs:

Immediately halt lending obligations, suspend disbursements, pending grants and
loans across all sovereign and non-sovereign operations, until conclusive
confirmation that these do not legitimize military rule.
Recall loans linked to the military junta, its businesses, military-linked crony
companies, or companies linked to individuals who have been internationally
sanctioned.
Reassess efficacy of loans to ensure they safeguard the rights of communities and
their environment, and protect civil space.
Stand in solidarity with Burmese people
Respect calls to the international community to condemn the coup and militaryviolence, and align with strong targeted sanctions against the military and its cronies
Work together to issue a joint IFI statement that states unequivocally IFIs will not
compromise development support in Myanmar by working with the junta, includingon COVID-19 response
Closely monitor private clients and public projects to ensure respect for laborstandards
Arrange a conference call between involved IFIs, Myanmar Civil SocietyOrganizations, the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), ethnic
political parties, and ethnic leaders

As of February 2021, the following project finance (combined amount of current and pipeline
projects with IFI commitments via loans, grants, guarantees, financial intermediaries, other
financing modalities), support to COVID-19 response, and other financial transactions,
totaling slightly more than US$ 11 Billion, have been noted:

World Bank (IDA): 41 projects, roughly US$4 billion
International Finance Corporation (IFC): 38 projects, roughly US$850 million
Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA): 9 projects, roughly US$1.22billion
Asian Development Bank (ADB): 97 projects, roughly US$2.7 billion
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB): 1 project, US$20 million

• International Monetary Fund (IMF): US$689.24 million for outstanding loans and
purchases

• Consolidated COVID-19 response support from World Bank($818.53M), ADB
($394M) and IMF ($356.5): roughly US$1.6 billion

These loans are particularly concerning because they are likely to embolden the military junta
to escalate its crackdown on the Civil Disobedience Movement, ongoing attacks against
civilians in ethnic zones, and its highly militarized COVID-19 pandemic response, which all
pose threats to regional human security and stability.

The letter and the list of signatories is available at https://www.burmataskforce.org/international-financial-institutions-ifis-and-state-donors-stop-loans-and-fully-reassess-burma-policy-in-light-of-coup-detat-do-not-fund-the-military-junta-or-its-cronies/

For further information, contact:

Frederick, Campaign Coordinator at IFI Watch Myanmar,myanmarcsocontact@gmail.com
Debbie Stothard, Coordinator at ALTSEAN-Burma, debbie@altsean.orgSpokespersons: