Photo Credit - Myittar Yaung Chi Foundation

After the Military Council detained and interrogatedwell-known author Wai Hin Aung, who had been actively involved in Cyclone aidoperations in Rakhine other philanthropists have adopted a more cautiousapproach to their relief efforts.

Despite the prevailing atmosphere of anxiety, aid workers inRakhine State remain resilient and committed to their ongoing humanitarianefforts, according to a leader of the Mrauk-U-based social aid organization.

This civil society leader of a local aid organizationsaid  "We all have concerns, not only our group, but all social aidorganizations in Rakhine State, have concerns. While we persist in our work,the constant fear of being interrogated or arrested by the Military Councillooms over us. Consequently, we are collectively and anxiously pressahead  with our rescue operations.”

On May 23rd, the Military Council apprehended a total of 5members from the Bo Sein Social Relief Organization, including Wai Hin Aung,who had traveled to Ponnagyun Township to provide relief aid to those affectedby the cyclone. Fortunately, they were released the following day.

These arrests had sent a strong signal to all social relieforganizations operating in Rakhine State, raising their level of vigilance andconcern.

"In this situation, we are all deeply concerned. Thearrest of Sayar Wai Hin Aung serves as an indirect threat to every socialrelief worker dedicated to their work in Rakhine State. These arrests areclearly orchestrated to intentionally impede the progress of humanitarian aidworkers striving to alleviate the suffering of those in dire need”, a leader ofthe Arakan Students Union told Narinjara.

Since the apprehension of Wai Hin Aung and his colleagues,there haven't been any further instances of social relief workers beingarrested in Rakhine State. However, the lingering apprehension regarding thepotential for the Military Council to conduct more arrests at any given moment,remains prevalent among the local aid workers, he added.

"Harassing philanthropists like Sayar Wai Hin Aung andmembers of our Student Union during this critical period is akin toexacerbating the suffering of those affected by the storm. Hence, even if theMilitary Council does not actively endorse and assist those engaged in socialrelief efforts with a genuine approach, we implore them not to disrupt theircrucial work”, the Student Union leader said.

"Although Sayar Wai Hin Aung was promptly releasedfollowing his arrest, the incident did have a discernible impact on charitableorganizations to some extent. Nonetheless, given the profound distressexperienced by the public, it is our ardent hope that the pace of voluntaryrelief efforts remains undeterred. But we already anticipate inevitablechallenges, such as time delays resulting from the necessity to bypass closelymonitored routes”, another relief worker told Narinjara.

Cyclone Mocha wreaked havoc in the townships of northernRakhine State, causing significant devastation. Approximately 90 to 95 percentof houses, infrastructures, and religious buildings were adversely affected anddamaged, tragically resulting in the loss of nearly 150 lives. (a veryconservative estimate.)

Nearly two weeks have elapsed since the cyclone's onslaught, yetmost of the people impacted by the storm are still awaiting substantial aidfrom both the Military Council and the international community. Locals saidthat numerous villages in the affected region are already grappling with acutescarcities of food and clean water.

A storm-affected resident of Kyauktaw Township denounced theMilitary Council's arrest and interrogation of social relief workers assistingstorm-affected individuals, asserting that, such actions effectively drive thealready-struggling populace towards the precipice of starvation.

"Even if they are unable to aid the dedicatedphilanthropists doing their utmost to help, the Military Council ought not todisrupt them, especially considering that they themselves have failed toprovide any assistance to the desperate public”, he said.

With the rains in Rakhine State increasing and the onset ofthe rainy season becoming apparent, there is an immediate and pressingnecessity to promptly address the reconstruction of collapsed houses.Additionally, social relief workers have emphasized the crucial role of theMilitary Council in addressing the challenges faced by the people in terms oftheir livelihoods and healthcare needs.