Donations for Cyclone Mocha victims in Arakan State total K550m, says ULA

By Admin 20 May 2023

DMG Newsroom
20 May 2023, Sittwe

The cash assistance donated by organisations including Myanmar’s parallel administration National Unity Government (NUG) has totaled K550 million, the United League of Arakan (ULA), the political wing of the Arakan Army (AA), said in a statement on Saturday.

The NUG donated K100 million, Kachin Independence Organization gave K300 million, The Myanmar National Truth and Justice Party/Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army donated K100 million and the Palaung State Liberation Front and Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) gave K50 million for the Cyclone Mocha victims in Arakan State, according to the ULA.

Cyclone Mocha made landfall over Arakan State on May 14, causing significant damage and hundreds of casualties. In the aftermath of the storm, NUG and the Brotherhood Alliance have been helping with humanitarian aid to carry out emergency relief operations, the ULA statement said.

The ULA expressed thanks to the NUG and Brotherhood Alliance for such support at a time when the people of Arakan State are suffering due to the storm.

The Brotherhood Alliance and NUG’s cash donation to the ULA has greatly helped the people of Arakan, said a local from Yoetayoke Village in Ponnagyun Township.

“Such cash contributions can greatly help the Arakanese people and the ULA’s rehabilitation tasks. The ULA was seen working on the ground to help the Cyclone Mocha victims. These donations can benefit Arakanese people,” the local added.

DMG contacted U Khaing Thukha, spokesman for the Arakan Army, to find out how the donations received for those people affected by the storm will be spent, but he had not yet responded as of press time.

U Pe Than, a veteran Arakanese politician, said it is still difficult for international organisations to provide direct assistance to the ULA.

“Revolutionary organisations provide financial support for storm victims through the ULA. As an international organisation, it is a bit difficult to support storm victims through the ULA. The international community also knows that the ULA is important to the people of Arakan. Even if international people want to help storm victims through the ULA, they have difficulties,” he explained.

Cyclone Mocha victims in Arakan State are currently in urgent need of food items and healthcare services.

As of May 18, a total of 145 people have been confirmed dead, thousands of cattle were killed and hundreds of thousands of homes in Arakan State were damaged or destroyed by the cyclonic storm.