The number two US diplomat, deputy secretary of state Wendy Sherman, spoke on Wednesday with a representative of Myanmar’s government in exile, the first announced contact between a senior US official and the rival administration to the generals who overthrew a democratically elected government.

The state department said Sherman spoke with Zin Mar Aung, who has been appointed acting foreign minister in the shadow National Unity Government (NUG) for Myanmar, also known as Burma.

The NUG was formed by members of the elected government and other opponents of the generals who toppled a democratically elected government six months ago.

Myanmar’s economy has collapsed and a humanitarian crisis worsened in the past month as coronavirus infections surged, overwhelming the health system.

“They discussed ongoing efforts to return Burma to a path to democracy, including continued US support for the pro-democracy movement,” state department spokesman Ned Price said. “In addition, they discussed efforts to combat rising Covid-19 infections in Burma and to provide critical humanitarian assistance to the people of Burma.”