Communities in Rakhine State, which suffered significantimpact from Cyclone Mocha, have expressed their reliance on aid provided bycivil society organizations rather than the Military Council.

Over 1 million people in Rakhine State have been affected bythe cyclone, yet the affected communities claim to have received a minusculeamount of aid from the Military Council thus far.

"The Military Council's donation of 18 cans of rice,half viss of onion, and tarpaulin sheets per household is inadequate. It doesnot offer sufficient assistance to the needy and impoverished. Essentially, itappears to prioritize support solely for those in close proximity”, a residentof Ponnagyun Township told Narinjara.

The Military Council provides certain villages in Kyauktaw,Ponnagyun, and Sittwe townships with building materials and limited foodsupport. However, when compared to the actual need, it falls significantlyshort, akin to feeding a giant elephant with small sesame seeds, he added.

Furthermore, numerous villages in Pauktaw, Kyauktaw,Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, and Mrauk-U townships remain severely impacted by thecyclone, yet they have not received any assistance from the Military Council.In these areas, the affected communities are solely reliant on food donationsprovided by civil society organizations for their survival.

"We haven't received any donations from the MilitaryCouncil. The reconstruction and repair of our damaged buildings are beingcarried out with funds from generous donors. However, due to limited resources,each household can only receive 50 coconut palm roofs, 20 bamboo poles, and 2logs as building materials. We have presented a comprehensive list of thedamages to the township administration, but unfortunately, there has been noresponse or assistance provided”, an official of Tain Nyo IDP camp said.

Despite the international community's donation of tents, tarpaulinsheets, building materials, food, and medicine to assist the cyclone-affectedpeople in Rakhine through the Military Council, over 20 days have passed sincethe storm struck, and these essential items have yet to reach the victims.

"I have gone many days without having enough rice toeat. Every time I see my damaged house, I feel a heavy burden in my heart. Ican't even imagine how my family will survive the upcoming rainy season in thisstate. Donors have provided food, but we also need building materials. It wouldbe wonderful if more people could step forward and donate the materialsrequired for rebuilding”, a cyclone victim from Kyauktaw told Narinjara.

According to the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army(ULA/AA), Cyclone Mocha, which made landfall on the west coast of Rakhine Stateon May 14th, caused significant devastation in Rakhine State, resulting in thedestruction of 216681 houses and causing suffering to over 1 millionpeople.