Press Release
May 24, 2023

The Arakan Rohingya National Alliance (ARNA) appreciates the timely steps taken by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) for supporting victims of cyclone Mocha which devastated Arakan, Chin State and adjoining areas in Myanmar.

The UNOCHA has warned that there is danger of spreading infectious and waterborne diseases due to infrastructure damage, flooding and salination of drinking water wells and ponds, particularly in Sittwe and Rathedaung townships in Arakan State. It has also cautioned the risk of landmines in the affected areas. The UNOCHA appealed for US$ 330 million in Emergency Aid for the victims of Mocha.

It is horrible that Rohingyas are not allowed to fetch water from Buddhist Rakhine villages in Rathedaung township which were not affected by flood. As a result of scarcity of water, dissatisfaction is brewing among marginalised Rohingya community.

In Sittwe, 16 IDP camps are totally destroyed and the refugees are facing a dire situation of availing food, clean drinking water, medicine and shelter. On the other hand, the death toll is rising day by day and hundreds are still missing.

The ARNA urges UNOCHA to accelerate humanitarian efforts in badly affected areas especially the IDP camps in Sittwe in order to save further deaths and sufferings of the vulnerable people.

Meanwhile, it is encouraging to learn that Humanitarian organisations are ready to provide two weeks of humanitarian aid to all those affected by storm in Rakhine and Chin State the detail distribution plan of which shall be shared soon.

For more information please contact:

Nay San Lwin, +4917662139138, secretariat@thearna.org