With all the fanfare the illegal Myanmar junta is currently putting on in a desperate effort to hang on to power, will they remove the red tape blocking permission to local and foreign humanitarian aid organisations to allow them to help those in need?

In the wake of the devastating Cyclone Mocha that hit Myanmar on 14 May, the situation for many who were seriously affected remains dire.

As of 31 July, there were no indications that the Myanmar authorities had loosened up their restrictions on international and local humanitarian aid delivery permission.

Despite meetings between representatives of the UN agencies and the Naypyidaw authorities, no go-ahead has been forthcoming.

Is this a case of déjà vu? In 2008, in the wake of Cyclone Nargis, the then military regime did themselves no favours by blocking or controlling the flow of aid to the cyclone victims following a storm that killed over 138,000 people. Cyclone Mocha caused less damage and alerts to citizens and storm preparedness helped keep the total casualty toll down to about 140 people. But the attitude of the generals smacks of Cyclone Nargis disinterest.

Post Cyclone Mocha, the junta has once again shown its disdain for the people of Myanmar. The generals have been using aid as a “weapon” by only officially allowing small amounts of aid to communities and administrations that kowtow to the junta. Aid has been delivered by local and foreign aid organizations but not at the level needed – two-and-a-half months after the storm hit.

The most pressing needs appear to revolve around IDPs in Rakhine State, many of whom have had problems rebuilding their damaged homes. Of particular concern are the living conditions of Rohingya IDPs.

It is unclear at this stage whether the junta will use 1 August – when the new Buddha statue is inaugurated and important announcements will be made – to give the green light to the easing of humanitarian aid red tape.