Junta must seek international aid for rehabilitation in Arakan State: report

By Admin 22 Jul 2023

DMG Newsroom
22 July 2023, Sittwe

It will require more than US$330 million for rehabilitation of the victims of Cyclone Mocha, but the regime has only received US$19 million for donors, according to the July 21 report of the Institute for Strategy and Policy-Myanmar (ISP-Myanmar).

From May 15 to June 13, the regime only received 56.957 billion kyats and US$516,177.96 donated through disaster management committees, government ministries, regional commands of Myanmar military, Myanma Economic Bank, and mobile wallets.

“If we convert the donations into US dollars, it is just around US$19 million. The United Nations estimated that US$333 million will be needed for rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is impossible without internet assistance,” said the ISP-Myanmar’s report.

While only around 20 percent of storm victims have received assistance, the regime imposes travel restrictions on international organisations helping storm victims, as well as on delivery and distribution of relief supplies, said ISP-Myanmar.

The regime has not allowed international donors to make direct donations to storm victims in Arakan State because it wants to take political advantage, said Arakanese politician U Pe Than. International agencies have to make donations through the regime, which accepts relief supplies in Yangon, and transport them to Arakan State by itself.

“There is a substantial gap between the money the regime has received and the money that is required for rehabilitation. Successive governments have tended to centralise everything. The regime is seeking political advantage by requiring humanitarian aid to go through them,” he said.

More than two months after the storm, many people still need emergency relief supplies in Arakan State. Local charities and social organisations share the view that rehabilitation is impossible without international assistance.

“It is important to allow international organisations to help freely. The regime’s provision of supplies is not enough,” said information officer Ko Aung Kyaw Soe of the Poe Shue Pyin social organisation.

A United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs report on July 19 said the approval of distribution and transportation plans for the Cyclone Mocha response in Arakan and Chin states remains pending.