Despite warnings from the Arakan Army (AA) and Myanmar military regime, shops are charging higher than normal prices for building materials and other consumer goods in the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha, said residents.

About 60 percent of homes in Myaukkyein Village-tract in Myebon Township were destroyed by the storm. The storm victims set up makeshift tents to live since they are currently unable to repair their homes, said U Kyaw Than, the village-tract administrator.

The price of charcoal has also increased from K6,000 per sack to around K10,000 per sack now in Arakan State.

Muslim refugees will not return, said Ko Aung Myaing from Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh. “They are doing as they please without trying to fulfill our requirements. They are just doing it to pacify the international community,” he said.

Electricity has been restored in some neighborhoods in Sittwe, Arakan State 11 days after power outages due to Cyclone Mocha, according to local people.

Many acres of perennial crops such as mango, betel nut, pomelo, jackfruit and banana trees in Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw and Mrauk-U Townships were destroyed by the devastating storm.

“They [the regime] told us to hand over the relief supplies to us. We are not allowed to deliver directly. It is not ok for us. Other NGOs and INGOs also have plans for relief operations. But, we are not allowed,”

A dismissed worker said a dispute arose after the employer cut their salaries.

Relief aid supplied by the international community for people affected by Cyclone Mocha has arrived in Arakan State, but residents of Sittwe, the state’s capital, have yet to receive supplies.

“We can’t buy roofs anywhere. Silos were also damaged by the storm, and we need food. I would like to urge well-wishers to help with the recovery of Matupi,”

Social activists said the township military council did not allow the plan of local charities in Kyaukphyu Township to gather together and collect donations in order to support storm victims in Arakan State.

Rural communities affected by Cyclone Mocha in Arakan State’s Pauktaw, Sittwe, Rathedaung, Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U and Gwa townships have so far received little relief aid.

A DMG reporter saw broken and completely destroyed trees in Sittwe and Ponnagyun townships, and the Mayu mountain range in Rathedaung and Maungdaw townships, after the storm hit Arakan State.

Power outages are taking a heavy toll on local people and businesses affected by the cyclone.

Not enough aid has arrived in Sittwe and Rathedaung townships, which suffered the most damage, more than a week after the storm hit Arakan State, according to residents.

Internally displaced people (IDPs) whose houses were destroyed by Cyclone Mocha in Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township urgently need relief supplies and healthcare services.

Lakes and other reservoirs in the villages were flooded with saltwater, and the storm victims say they urgently need clean drinking water and healthcare services.

More than 70,000 acres of sesame fields were ruined by flooding triggered by Cyclone Mocha in Magway Region, with financial losses totaling around 18 billion kyats, according to local sesame growers.  

Ayeyarwady Bank, one of the largest private banks in Myanmar, is providing loans to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) affected by Cyclone Mocha, which made landfall with destructive force near the Arakan State capital Sittwe on May 14.