Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) is calling on the international community for support for people negatively affected by the powerful Cyclone Mocha that is moving across the country.
In a statement dated 14 May, they say the following:
The powerful cyclone Mocha made its landfall through around Sittwe city, Rakhine Coastal Region with maximum wind gusts of (120) miles per hour on this morning 11:30 am local time. It was reported that there were (5) deaths and some injured cases in Rakhine, Shan, Mandalay and Ayeyarwaddy due to the cyclone and its follow-up incidents by 6:00 pm local time today.
Though it is too early to gauge the magnitude of the devastation, it is likely to bring a massive humanitarian catastrophe to Myanmar where several thousand population are in dire need of humanitarian assistance due to the inhumane suppression of the military junta and its subordinates.
Welcoming the measures and efforts taken by UN agencies and aid organizations, it is important not to miss providing relief assistances to the most vulnerable community including IDPs all over the country, particularly for those who live in the areas controlled by revolution alliances and ethnic resistance organizations. The majority of high risk areas to be affected by Mocha are no longer under the full control of the junta military such as Rakhine, Chin and most of the rural areas in Sagaing, Magway.
It is estimated that military junta will hamper rescue and humanitarian operations of humanitarian actors from reaching affected people in those areas. Using the threat of cyclone as an advantage, the junta launched military operations in Sagaing and Thanintari until May 13 causing the life-threatening situation for the IDPs.
On the other hand, as an accountable and responsible true government of Myanmar, National Unity Government (NUG) of Myanmar organized the Emergency Operation Coordination Committee (EOCC) for the effective engagement with international community and humanitarian actors in response to the potential impacts of the cyclone Mocha. We had made preparations in Sagaing, Magway, Bego, Ayeyarwaddy and Thanintari regions in collaboration with local humanitarian actors and revolution alliances. Assistance for preparedness and emergency response were also provided through local community based organisations and ethnic representatives in Rakhine and Chin. In addition, we already engaged with the community based organisations who are working for the Rohingya community in Rakhine State and border area. Emergency relief operations have been started and will raise the support accordingly based on the findings of initial assessments.
We welcome the international actors to collaborate with EOCC for providing relief assistances and rescue mission to the vulnerable community in Myanmar.
The initial situation report is released together with this call and you may reach us at [email protected] and signal naumber +66 97 089 0918 for any inquires.
