The storm-affected people of Rakhine State are in imminentdanger of famine if food supplies fail to reach them in a timely manner.Presently, in certain areas where food scarcity prevails, a significant numberof individuals are already experiencing inadequate or insufficient daily meals,according to reports from relief workers.

Cyclone Mocha, which struck Rakhine State on May 14th, haddevastating consequences for the region. The cyclone resulted in the loss ofhundreds of lives among the Rakhine population and caused extensive damageacross nearly all townships in Rakhine State. Particularly in the hardest-hitregions like Sittwe, a significant number of individuals are now grappling withcritical shortages of essential provisions such as shelter, drinking water, andfood.

The storm-affected people of Rakhine State are in imminentdanger of famine if food supplies fail to reach them in a timely manner.Presently, in certain areas where food scarcity prevails, a significant numberof individuals are already experiencing inadequate or insufficient daily meals,according to reports from relief workers.

Cyclone Mocha, which struck Rakhine State on May 14th, haddevastating consequences for the region. The cyclone resulted in the loss ofhundreds of lives among the Rakhine population and caused extensive damageacross nearly all townships in Rakhine State. Particularly in the hardest-hitregions like Sittwe, a significant number of individuals are now grappling withcritical shortages of essential provisions such as shelter, drinking water, andfood.

Aree Phyu, in charge of the relief camp at Tayza RamaVipassana Monastery, warns that since the Cyclone hit for 10 days until May 23th, most storm-affected people have not received any relief aid, while theexorbitant increase in prices of food and consumer goods, including rice,raises concerns of potential starvation deaths.

“Those who can afford it quickly buy tin roofs and renovatetheir houses, while poor people are left without proper shelter. The option oftemporary shelter in school buildings is not viable as none of the schools remainedintact after the storm. Almost all houses, schools, and even war refugee campswere severely damaged. Moreover, there is a scarcity of rice, exacerbating thefood crisis. We are practically worried that everyone will starve to death”,she told Narinjara.

According to U Nyi Pu, the Chairperson of the Kyauktaw-basedPhyu Sin Myittar Charity Association, Cyclone Mocha wreaked havoc on downtownKyautaw, resulting in 95 percent damage, while its suburbs suffered 90 percentdamage, and the affected population is currently facing severe food shortagesdue to their inability to afford food.

"Nothing remains unscathed, it is an almost completedevastation. Currently, we can only manage to partially repair the houses toprovide inadequate shelter for the affected residents. The town is now plaguedby the challenge of acquiring rice, as prices have soared beyond affordability.Tragically, we are witnessing an alarming emergence of individuals facingstarvation in Kyauktaw”, he said.

In certain territories under the control of the Arakan Army(AA), they have been involved in providing food assistance to individualsaffected by the storm, as well as offering assistance in repairing damagedhomes. However, it is important to note that their efforts are limited in scopeand cannot adequately address the needs of the entire Rakhine State. Whilecertain urban areas have received some support, rural areas continue to facesignificant challenges.

Local witnesses reported that on the morning of May 18th, theMilitary Council utilized warships and amphibious landing craft to transportrelief supplies, some of which started to arrive in Sittwe for Rakhine State.

While the people can withstand the hardships caused by thestorm for a limited period, an extended duration may lead to their collapse;therefore, it is crucial to promptly distribute emergency assistance, a Muslimsocial relief worker in Sittwe has warned.

"Unfortunately, we have not witnessed any significantrelief efforts thus far. While a few NGOs have arrived, their focus has beenlimited to assessing the extent of the damage. Regrettably, the government'sresponse has been equally lacking. The reality is that people are enduringimmense suffering with urgent requirements for medicines, food, and shelters.Both urban areas and refugee camps have experienced severe damage toresidential structures. In certain villages, the elders are sharing theirmeager food supplies. It appears that the food shortage is particularly dire inthe villages compared to the camps”, he said.

Narinjara attempted to reach out to U Hla Thein, spokespersonfor the Rakhine State Council, and U Than Tun, a member of the State Council,to inquire about the relief efforts intended for the Rakhine people impacted bythe recent storm and the ensuing damages. However, despite our efforts, we wereunsuccessful in establishing contact with them.

The Narinjara attempted to reach out to U Hla Thein,spokesperson of the Rakhine State Council, as well as U Than Tun, a member ofthe State Council, to inquire about the initiatives being undertaken to aid theRakhine people affected by the recent storm and its consequential damage.Unfortunately, these attempts were unsuccessful.

In contrast, the AA's Commander in Chief, Major General TwanMrat Naing, has emphasized the urgency of restoration efforts for theindividuals affected by the storm. He has made an appeal to NGOs, INGOs, andlocal community-based organizations, urging them to extend their support andassistance to the affected people to the greatest extent possible. AA is alsoactively engaged in these restoration endeavors.

In addition, individuals who have been impacted by the stormare calling upon the international community and rescue organizations todistribute humanitarian aid extensively throughout Rakhine State.