UNICEF Myanmar Humanitarian Situation Report No. 7 (Cyclone MOCHA): 26 May 2023

Highlights

• Rehabilitation and cleaning up debris from schools and learning centres is a high priority to ensure readiness for school re-opening, planned for early June, as it is reported that 1,380 basic education schools across 17 townships of Rakhine have been affected.

• Cyclone Mocha badly damaged Rakhine markets, resulting in significant increases in the price of essential food, non-food items, and services.

• UNICEF and partners reached 31,725 affected population through distribution of family hygiene kits, soaps, buckets, jerry cans, and water purification sachets and water trucking for most affected villages in Rakhine.

• The catastrophic Cyclone Mocha had a devastating impact in Chin State, affecting 1813 households, 18 religious’ structures, and 9 educational institutions in Matupi, Hakha, Kanpalet, Palettwa, Mindat,
  
  Falam, Thantlang and Tedim.

• In the Northwest, UNICEF is working with implementing partners on the distribution of essential learning package kits (5,440 sets) and short-term home-based learning materials (2,472 sets) to IDP camps affected by the cyclone and armed conflicts.

Situation in Numbers

3.4 million

people in affected areas (OCHA)

1.6 million

people targeted for humanitarian assistance (OCHA)

500,000

new additional caseload (OCHA)

Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs

The humanitarian situation in regions and states affected by Cyclone Mocha continues to be a concern, as a number of affected sectors will have an impact on children’s survival, wellbeing and development.

The latest assessments from the Market Analysis Unit (MAU) indicate that Cyclone Mocha badly damaged Rakhine markets, resulting in significant increases in the price of essential food, non-food items, and services. In Sittwe, electrical outages have impacted water supply and water pumps. Prices for water hand- pumps has doubled, rising from 42,000 MMK (USD 14) prior to the cyclone to 83,000 MMK (USD 28) afterward. The price of distilled water has increased by 17 per cent, rising from 600 MMK/20L (0.2 USD/20L) to 700 MMK/20L (0.24 USD/20L). Many households are struggling to access purified bottled water due to the rising cost.

In Mrauk-U’s main market, vendors interviewed reported fewer inventory losses than vendors in Sittwe. Prices for hygiene-related items were fairly stable in Mrauk-U, although soap prices were up 25 per cent.

In Ponnagyun, prices of non-food items, both for shelter and hygiene products, increased sharply. Blanket prices were up 17 per cent, while those for plastic tarps were up 60 per cent and prices for mosquito nets have doubled. Jerry cans were not available. Toothpaste prices were up 19 per cent, while soap was up 50 per cent and sanitary pad prices were stable.

Assessments from the Market Analysis Unit indicate that the implementation of large-scale cash transfer programmes should be undertaken with caution due to supply constraints and potential market impacts. Cash assistance can be effective in Sittwe, Mrauk-U and Ponnagyun, where markets are damaged but still functional. Humanitarian cash assistance will likely grow more important in the coming weeks as regional supply chains recover.

In Rakhine, 1,380 basic education schools across 17 townships of Rakhine have been affected. The number of children estimated in the need of education support stands at about 335,000. In addition, teachers and volunteer teachers have had their homes partially or destroyed and most of the affected population are now living in monasteries and with relatives.

It has been challenging to get safe spaces and shade to deliver preventive and curative nutrition services, especially for Sittwe, Pauktaw and Kyauktaw areas. Temporary tents are urgently needed to deliver nutrition services to vulnerable people in shade and safe spaces.

The catastrophic Cyclone Mocha cyclone had a devastating impact in Chin State, affecting 1,813 households, 18 religious structures, and 9 educational institutions in Matupi, Hakha, Kanpalet, Palettwa, Mindat, Falam, Thantlang and Tedim.