The Australian Government will provide an additional Australian $12.5 million to meet urgent humanitarian needs in Bangladesh and Myanmar following Tropical Cyclone Mocha, according to a press release by the Australian government on 25 June.

Tropical Cyclone Mocha caused widespread damage across Myanmar and Bangladesh when it struck on 14 May, affecting an estimated 2.4 million people and compounding an already serious humanitarian situation, according to the office of Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

In Myanmar, Australia will provide $10.5 million to support 1.6 million affected people, through the United Nations-led response plan. This assistance will be provided to UN agencies and humanitarian partners to ensure that it does not directly benefit or legitimise the military regime.

In Bangladesh, Australia will provide $2 million to humanitarian partners, primarily to support Bangladeshi communities in the most severely affected areas.

This brings Australia’s contribution towards the Tropical Cyclone Mocha relief efforts to $13.5 million, following Australia’s initial $1 million contribution. The initial support focused on the rapid delivery of humanitarian supplies and impact assessments.

The additional contributions build onto ongoing support for the humanitarian response in Myanmar and Bangladesh, which was $145 million in 2022-23.

The Australian government says it continues to urge the military regime in Myanmar to provide safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance.