UN relief agency laments persisting access woes in post-Cyclone Arakan State

By Admin 20 Jul 2023

DMG Newsroom
20 July 2023, Sittwe

While some regular programming has restarted in Arakan State, cyclone relief efforts remain suspended more than two months after Cyclone Mocha made landfall, UNOCHA Myanmar said in a statement on July 19.

“The humanitarian community continues to advocate for expanded access to cyclone-affected people and has re-submitted the previously-approved distribution and transportation plans to the State Administration Council for reactivation,” UNOCHA Myanmar said. 

Humanitarians say the restrictions imposed by the junta in Arakan State have made it more difficult for storm-affected populations, who rely heavily on international aid, to recover.

“The junta provides relief items to storm victims, but it is not enough for them,” said Ko Aung Kyaw Soe, an information officer for the Poe Shwee Pyin social organisation in Ponnagyun Township. “The storm victims will be able to solve their difficulties only if international organisations are allowed to furnish the storm victims with humanitarian assistance. Limiting access for international organisations has led to many delays in the recovery of people affected by the storm.”

“We would like to ask the junta to allow international organisations to help storm victims,” said Ko Thein Soe, a local man from Kutaung Village in Rathedaung Township. “There are many storm victims who cannot rebuild their homes due to lack of financial assistance. Only if international organisations are allowed to help, the storm victims will receive relief items.”

More than 1.5 million people were affected by Cyclone Mocha, and more than 24,000 buildings were damaged in Arakan State. At least 148 people and over 27,000 farm animals died in the storm, with financial losses totalling over 4.8 billion kyats, according to the Arakan State Administration Council.

Many storm victims in the state are still in need of emergency assistance and face a host of challenges on the road to recovery.