Mizzima

Myanmar’s Military Council extended its declaration of natural disaster-affected regions in 17 townships of Rakhine State until 14 September.

The announcement signed by military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing issued on 14 July stated that Kyaukpyu, Manaung, Yanbye, An, Sittway, Pauktaw, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Gwa, Taungup, Thandwe, Maungtaw, Buthidaung, Kyauktaw, Minbya, MraukU and Myebon will remain on the list of natural disaster areas, and the rehabilitation processes will be carried out by the Military Council to ensure a return to normalcy in these areas.

Severe Cyclone Mocha hit Rakhine State on 14 May along with heavy rain and resulting destruction occurred across 90 per cent of the capital Sittwe, including camps for displaced Rohingya people. 

However, the military allowed only limited access of the UN and other international aid organizations to around one million people in the cyclone-affected areas.

Local media report that many schools have not been repaired, two months after the disaster. Students have to learn under temporary tarpaulin roofs at several schools, and monasteries and some religious buildings are being used as classrooms in rural areas, without access to relief assistance. 

Aid workers and people in the affected areas said that the junta’s blockade of a relief response has been deliberate, and it has hindered distribution of relief supplies and the provision of emergency medical care.