While some support is already reaching accessible areas of the cyclone Mocha-hit regions, more assistance is desperately needed, said UN Humanitarian Coordinator a.i., for Myanmar Ramanathan Balakrishnan.

On 25 May 2023, MRamanathan Balakrishnan went to Sittway of Rakhine State to speak with people affected by Cyclone Mocha. During his two-day visit, he saw the heavy impact on people across all communities who expressed a common need for shelter, water, sanitation and food, UNOCHA Myanmar reported.

To ensure no one is left behind, humanitarians need additional funds, expanded access, and the ability to transport essential supplies, it added.

UNOCHA Myanmar’s Head of Office, Danielle Parry, also visited a temporary camp in Sittway and pointed out immediate needs for the victims. 

UNOCHA has already announced that humanitarian aid organizations have appealed for US$333 million in emergency aid for 1.6 million storm-affected people.

Sittway and Yathedaung are hardest hit regions with a high possibility of infectious disease outbreaks caused by water shortages, UNOCHA reported. 

Currently, saltwater has flowed into drinking water lakes in the villages of the regions such as Sittway, Yathedaung and Ponnakyun. Moreover, tree branches in those lakes and with the passage time, water is going bad, local residents said.

According to the data collected until May 20, after cyclone Mocha hit Myanmar, 183,024 buildings were damaged or destroyed, and 148 people died across regions and states, the State Administration Council reported.

In 17 townships of Rakhine State alone, 182,598 houses, 300 offices, 1,352 schools, 220 hospitals/clinics, 1,701 religious buildings and other facilities were damaged or destroyed.

Rakhine State bore the brunt of damage caused by the cyclone. There were incidents in the town of Sittway. In downtown area five people died. In another accident, 14 people were killed after a religious building where they took shelter collapsed in Donpaik Village.