Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Rakhine State have called for unrestricted access to storm-hit areas in Rakhine State as storm victims have barely received relief aid two weeks after the cyclone hit the region, according to Development Media Group 29 May.

According to the report, published in the Rakhine Communications Hub, the Arakan Civil Society Organizations (ACSO), a network of CSOs in Rakhine State, on 29 Mya called on the Myanmar junta to allow international organisations and CSOs to unconditionally help storm victims.

The call echoes concerns voiced by a number of local and international humanitarian aid players that the Cyclone Mocha response is lagging.

A ACSO spokesperson says tight checks at security checkpoints are causing delays to deliveries of relief supplies to storm victims. While there is a need for large-scale relief efforts, restrictions imposed by the regime are seriously hampering relief operations.

The spokesperson said the situation worsened after social activist Ko Wai Hin Aung was arrested. Ko Wai Hin Aung and his team were arrested while on the road in Rakhine State but released the following day.

Reports coming in indicate aid delivery is spotty at best, with many storm victims still in need of the basics, namely food, water, medicine and shelter. Fears have been voiced that many victims are living in dire circumstances as the monsoon season approaches.