Even though it  has been 11 days since the cyclone Mocha hit RakhineState, no aid from the militarygovernment or international communityarrivesfor the storm affected families.

The  devastated Rakhine people are waiting for  aid from Thailand, India and otherAsean
nations.

Mentionable is that a large number of items, donated by the international community for the cycloneaffected Rakhine people, have arrivedin the prime city of Myanmar, but it has not been transported to Rakhine State yet.

"A large volume of charity goods have arrived in the mainland and those were received by the juntaauthorities. But those items have not reachedthe cyclone affected families,” said a resident of Sittwe, the capital city of Arakan State.

He added that some areas in  Sittwe have witnessed the distribution of rice grains and eggs, but the majorityof affected city dwellers are deprivedof those items.

"The international community has donated many items to Rakhine cyclone victims which were received by themilitary council representatives, butthose have not been sent to Rakhine State till date,” he asserted.

Thailand on 23 May donated around 20 tons of materialscomprising temporary shelters,mosquito nets and ready-made noodles to the cyclonic storm affected people ofMyanmar.

India also provided 25 tons of goods including nutritionalbiscuits, medicines, sardines,tents, and tarpaulins. On 20 May, three Indian navy ships delivered these items at  Yangon port.

Asean countries also sent 15,550 pounds of relief materialsworth US$ 60,000 to Yangon on 22May.

“Even though the relief materials were received by the military personnel, those are not immediatelytransported to the affected localitiesof Rakhine State. The people are taking shelter in monasteries, school buildings etc as they have lost their houses to the cyclone. They needsupport urgently,” said  a resident of Kyauk Taw township.

According to local residents and social organizations, townships like Sittwe, Rathedaung, Ponna Kyunt, KyaukTaw,  Pauk Taw etc were severelyaffected by Mocha, where  95% of houses have been destroyed.

Rakhine State military council revealed  that the stormhad affected 1156,796 people. Itkilled 148 individuals and demolished 24,071 structures. At least  27,617 domestic animals had also losttheir lives in the cyclone. Costof the damage is estimated to Kyats 48986lakhs.

Caption: Representatives from the military council receive donations from India and Thailand.