May 19, 2023
NAYPIDAW – The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA Myanmar) estimated that the number of people affected by Cyclone Mocha in Myanmar could be more than five million.
The above was included in the bulletin (5) on the humanitarian situation of Cyclone Mocha in Myanmar.
It is estimated that nearly 5.4 million people living in the path of the storm passing through Rakhine State and northwestern Myanmar may be affected by the storm, OCHA Myanmar said in a statement.
Of the nearly 5.4 million people, nearly 3.2 million are considered to have humanitarian needs, and Public infrastructure, including hospitals, banks and religious buildings, was badly damaged, reported the OCHA Myanmar.
Due to the Cyclone Mocha, damages are occurred in Sittwe, Pauktaw, Yathedaung, Maungdaw, Ponnakyun and Kyauktaw townships in Rakhine State, according to OCHA Myanmar, and humanitarian partner organizations are conducting a survey as a priority for the urgent needs of these townships.
A statement from OCHA Myanmar stated that more than 100,000 people in Magway and Sagaing regions were affected by severe flooding due to heavy rains and floods when Cyclone Mocha entered inland as a powerful depression.
In addition, storm victims needed shelters, healthcare, household appliances, water and environmental sanitation assistance and OCHA Myanmar also warned about the risk of landmines being displaced by floods in Rakhine State.
On May 15, SAC announced that over 10,000 houses were destroyed and 21 people died in 11 regions and states due to Cyclone Mocha. More than 400 rescue workers, including special search and rescue forces, were sent to Sittwe in Rakhine State on the morning of May 17 to carry out relief efforts.