3.2 million Myanmar people are very vulnerable and likely to need humanitarian aid after Cyclone Mocha made landfall in Rakhine state on 14 May, according to a UNICEF Myanmar Humanitarian Situation Report released on 17 May.

An estimated 5.4 million people in the path of the severe cyclone were affected across Rakhine and the northwest area of the country.

The report also said that water resources were contaminated due to storm surges, landslides and flooding. In cyclone-affected areas, people need drinking water, shelter, health and food, while telecommunications and internet connectivity continue to be major challenges.

Moreover, people in the northwest areas of the country have less access to humanitarian aid and information. Major power lines were damaged in the west and northeast townships of Pakokku, Seikphyu, Salin, Yaesagyo, Pauk, Myaing, Saw and Kantkaw.

The report said that an estimated 80 per cent of school infrastructure in Rakhine State has been partially or totally damaged with roofs ripped off and damaged or collapsed walls. The damage means that the re-opening of schools in Rakhine State may not happen in June, as previously planned.

The UNICEF report also highlighted concerns that people who were displaced from their homes and sheltering in internally displaced people (IDP) camps may be forced to return to their homes and face more dangers because the cyclone destroyed the IDP camps where they were staying.

Cyclone Mocha was the most severe storm in the Bay of Bengal in the past 10 years. It uprooted trees, ripped off roofs and broke down power lines.