Travel restrictions remain for relief groups in Arakan State, UN agency says

By Admin 19 Jun 2023

DMG Newsroom
19 June 2023, Sittwe

Approval of distribution and transportation plans for the Cyclone Mocha relief response in Arakan and Chin states remains pending, UNOCHA Myanmar said in a statement on June 19.

“One month on from Cyclone Mocha, the unexpected retraction of initial approval for cyclone distribution and transportation plans and the temporary suspension of existing travel authorizations (TAs) for humanitarian organizations in Rakhine [Arakan] by the de facto authorities, has impacted the humanitarian response across the state,” Monday’s statement said.

“This sudden decision has exacerbated the already dire living conditions of the cyclone-affected population as heavy rains and flooding from the monsoon season continues to impact areas already severely affected by the cyclone,” it added.

Myanmar’s military regime has imposed a travel ban on local and international nongovernmental organisations and civil society organisations providing humanitarian assistance to victims of Cyclone Mocha in Arakan State since June 8. The travel ban has been swiftly and roundly criticised, coming at a time when storm-affected people are in urgent need of humanitarian aid.

A letter dated June 11 and purportedly signed by Arakan State Minister of Security and Border Affairs Colonel Kyaw Thura had circulated online indicating that local and international nongovernmental organisations providing relief items in Arakan State were being allowed to resume operations. In reality, local and international nongovernmental organisations are still barred from travelling freely.

“The government should do the relief work itself and help the charities to work quickly. When we carry out relief work in rural areas, we have to avoid junta authorities for fear of being arrested,” said an official from a local civil society organisation.

Despite the limitations on humanitarian assistance, aid groups are providing critical assistance to cyclone-affected communities where they are authorised, the UNOCHA statement said.

More than 1.5 million people were affected by Cyclone Mocha, which made landfall over Arakan State with destructive force on May 14, the Arakan Army said.

Residents say there is a lack of food and relief supplies across the rural areas and displacement camps in Arakan State’s storm-hit townships.

“We face more hardships as the humanitarian organisations are banned from providing relief supplies to storm victims and IDPs in Arakan State,” said Ma May Su Hlaing, an IDP woman from Cedipyin displacement camp in Rathedaung Township.

About 30 percent of the victims of Cyclone Mocha in Arakan State have received relief items from international organisations, civil society organisations and donors, but around 70 percent are still in need of emergency assistance, the Arakan Army said on Wednesday via the Cyclone Mocha Emergency Rescue and Rehabilitation for Arakan (Cyclone Mocha ERRA).