Vox Pop: Humanitarians share frontline perspective on cyclone rehabilitation

By Admin 14 Jul 2023

DMG Newsroom
14 July 2023, Sittwe

July 14 marked two months since Cyclone Mocha hit Arakan State. Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, on his second visit to Arakan State since the storm, said recovery work had made some progress in the two months since the destructive storm made landfall on May 14.

But residents and observers have pointed out a particularly glaring aspect of the post-cyclone recovery period: Since June 8, the junta has banned international humanitarian groups from providing aid to storm victims.

DMG interviewed some social workers and locals about their on-the-ground experiences helping those affected by the cyclone, and about rehabilitation work more broadly.

Ko Bekka || Social activist || Rathedaung Township

The cyclonic storm caused mass destruction in Rathedaung. There are many IDPs in downtown Rathedaung. Rathedaung residents have faced losses and are facing livelihood hardships. Rathedaung residents and IDPs have received little aid. Some storm victims have purchased tarpaulin sheets to repair their homes because they cannot afford roofing sheets. Many storm victims are currently taking shelter in makeshift tents. The storm victims are rebuilding their homes on a self-reliant basis.

The junta has only provided a packet of instant noodles to each storm victim. The storm victims didn’t receive sufficient relief items from the junta. Relief groups are not reaching the storm-hit areas. Some organisations including the ICRC [International Committee of the Red Cross] have provided the storm victims with relief supplies, but the aid is not enough for the storm victims. Today marks two months since Cyclone Mocha hit Arakan State. The rehabilitation in Rathedaung Township has been completed by about 35 percent.

Ko Kyaw Kyaw Khaing || Social worker || Pauktaw Township

Storm victims in Pauktaw Township are carrying out rehabilitation work on a self-reliant basis. The junta focuses on repairing power transmission lines. Electricity has been resumed in downtown Pauktaw since July 5, but power remains cut in rural areas. 

Storm victims have received a small amount of relief items from the junta. Those who cannot afford to repair their homes destroyed by the storm have built makeshift tents to live in. I’ve not heard anything about the junta providing storm victims with tarpaulin sheets. Some storm victims close to the junta have received relief items.

Ma Malar Win || Poeshweepyin Village, Ponnagyun Township

Storm victims in my village are facing various hardships. The cyclonic storm destroyed many acres of croplands. We cannot start rehabilitation work because we need money to do it. Some people have sold their jewellery to buy construction materials in order to repair their homes destroyed by the storm. There are some people who cannot afford to repair their homes. 

The junta supplied us with rice. Previously, our village could be accessed by a three-wheeled motorbike. Now we cannot go to the [neighbouring] village by a three-wheeled motorbike because the rural road was destroyed by the storm. Local people rely on water routes to travel to other areas.

Ko Nyi Pu || Phyusin Myitta Charity || Kyauktaw

About 90 percent of storm victims in Kyauktaw Township have already repaired their homes. Storm victims in remote-areas do not receive relief items as charities are not reaching those areas. The grassroots in downtown Kyauktaw are struggling to make ends meet. 

IDPs receive relief supplies, but many storm victims do not get relief items. No storm victim has received sufficient relief supplies. Some people have yet to repair their homes. We received only five tins of rice as relief supplies from the junta. We are still facing livelihood hardships. Around 80 percent of storm victims in downtown Kyauktaw still face livelihood hardships. The junta has provided one roofing sheet to each storm-hit family. 

Anonymous female activist

The impact of Cyclone Mocha has been huge. Cyclone Mocha is the second strongest storm in Myanmar after Cyclone Nargis. Now, in two months, I see that the international attention has decreased regarding the reconstruction of Arakan State, which was hit by the storm. Civil society organisations, including the people of Arakan, must make the difficulties of the people of Arakan affected by the storm known internationally.

Food supplies are urgently needed in some villages in Sittwe Township. Two months after the storm, it’s time to rebuild the damaged homes and buildings. The junta should conduct vocational training courses for storm victims and help storm victims repair their damaged homes. Many villages still need emergency food assistance. Some storm victims have repaired their homes on a self-reliant basis. 

The junta is looking to use the natural disaster for political gain. I think the junta is unable to carry out the rehabilitation tasks. The junta’s rehabilitation is superficial, and its actions are still ineffective.