Cyclone Mocha: Even after 4 days, no aid reaches Rakhine State

Even after four days of cyclone Mocha hitting a large area of Rakhine State, no military government or international aid has arrived for the affected families.

Since the storm hit on 14 May, the local residents are facing the shortage of food and drinking water. The situation turns worse in remote villages and the people may die of starvation if proper initiatives are not taken.

Daw Ari Phyu,  in-charge of Sittwe IDP camp, confirmed that till today there is no support or relief from any organisation is received. Due to increase of essential commodities including rice grains, the people will face a very difficult situation.

"Even if you have money, you can't buy rice. Its price is going up. Most of the houses are  destroyed. Many  monasteries and temples are also damaged. Even the refugee camps also face destruction. The people have nothing to eat. If the government or international reliefs are yet received, they will die of hunger,” he added.

U Nyipu, president of KyauK Taw’s  Pure Love charity association, disclosed that  95% houses in the downtown areas and 90% houses of rural areas were damaged. The storm-affected people cannot afford to buy food and other essential items.

"All were destroyed by cyclone Mocha. Currently, we have no place to live. Food became scarce. We are unable to buy rice. The people have no money in hands. Many are starving as they cannot buy food items with very high prices,” he added.

The military government and local & international NGOs are collecting the list of affected people. Arakan Army has also started collecting data of affected areas under its control. Some areas under the control of AA have received minimum supports, but the State as a whole has been suffering.

A Sittwe-based Muslim social worker claimed that the affected families are waiting for relief and suitable accommodations as soon as possible.

"There are no relief in Rakhine State. The main problem is the supply of food items, drinking water and medicines. As everything is destroyed by the cyclonic strom, the people in rural areas are suffering and expecting support from  outside,” he added.

Rakhine State council spokesperson U Hla Thein and State council member U Than Tun were contacted for details about the damage and also relief program, but they avoided it.

Even though the AA has supplied some relief to the affected families, that is assumed not to be enough.  ULA/AA president general Twan Myat Naing has already made a special request to the international community, social organizations and INGOs to extend support to the affected Rakhine families.

The devastated families also urge the donor originations to come forward supporting them at this time of crisis.