Junta falls woefully short on funding needed for rehabilitation of Arakan State

By Admin 16 Jun 2023

DMG Newsroom
16 June 2023, Sittwe

Arakan State needs 522 billion kyats for rehabilitation after Cyclone Mocha, and the Union government has only granted 7 billion kyats, according to the Arakan State Administration Council (ASAC).

Much assistance is needed for reconstruction of houses and other buildings in northern Arakan State as Cyclone Mocha caused massive property damage.

ASAC spokesman U Hla Thein said: “Frankly speaking, the financial losses totalled 522 billion kyats and the government can only provide 7 billion kyats.”

“International organisations have plans to come to Arakan State. If international aid comes smoothly, everyone may get a certain amount of assistance,” he added.

The Myanmar regime and international humanitarian organisations have reportedly been holding discussions on the delivery of relief supplies to Arakan State.

Veteran Arakanese politician U Pe Than said: “If agreements can’t be reached about international assistance, [the regime] should make it public why agreements can’t be reached. Disagreements arise probably because they want to control and restrict the supplies to be provided by foreign organisations.”

The regime has meanwhile passed a defence budget of over 5.6 trillion kyats for the 2023-24 fiscal year, making the projected budget needed for rehabilitation of Arakan State is less than 10 percent of the defence budget.

It is unacceptable that the regime has only handed out 7 billion kyats for rehabilitation of Arakan State after western Myanmar was hit by its strongest storm in decades, said U Pe Than.

“There is a reserve fund for disaster management at the Union level. We heard [the regime] has granted 7 billion kyats from that fund. It is not enough at all while people are facing a humanitarian crisis.”

The Arakan State security and border affairs minister imposed travel restrictions on humanitarian organisations providing help to storm-hit people on June 7. Some organisations were forced to turn back at security checkpoints.

The junta eased travel restrictions a few days later.

International organisations including the World Food Programme, International Committee of the Red Cross and International Rescue Committee have since resumed relief efforts, but for new programmes and travel, they are required to seek approval from the ASAC.

An official from an international nongovernmental organisation who asked for anonymity said: “We can continue works that have received permission. But for new programmes, we have to seek permission. We have monthly programs, which will continue as usual.”

Many houses and schools in Sittwe, Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, Pauktaw, Mrauk-U, Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships are yet to be repaired. Rural communities expect to receive certain assistance from the regime for their rehabilitation.

The Arakan Army has said 70 percent of the people affected by the storm have not yet received emergency relief supplies.

In a March 31 statement, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Myanmar said humanitarians stand ready to support all affected communities, but they need more supplies, enhanced access and increased funding to effectively carry out their work.