Oxfam responds to impact of Cyclone Mocha in Myanmar and Bangladesh

At least eight people were killed and infrastructure extensively destroyed when the cyclone hit the western Myanmar region on Sunday. Amongst those affected are thousands of internally displaced people living in camps in Rakhine state.

Oxfam plans to mount a humanitarian response to provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, as well as emergency cash and food.

Rajan Khosla, Oxfam Country Director in Myanmar, said: “Our teams in the Rakhine capital, Sittwe, faced the terrifying winds which damaged homes, toppled trees and disrupted power and communication lines. The cyclone has devastated the camps for internally displaced people in Rakhine. We are receiving reports of the scale of the devastation.”

Even before the cyclone, an estimated six million people were already in need of humanitarian support in Rakhine, Chin, Magway and Sagaing, the states where the cyclone hit. The need for essentials, like shelter, clean water, sanitation, is expected to rise.

Rajan Khosla said: “The cyclone will immensely impact existing displaced people and particularly communities in Rakhine and Chin. More resources are required, and we call on the international community to provide the funds required to help them live a life of dignity.”

While the cyclone did not make landfall in Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh, the strong winds destroyed temporary bamboo homes.

Ashish Damle, Oxfam Country Director in Bangladesh, said: “It is a relief that the cyclone passed without causing loss of life in the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar. But the makeshift infrastructure in the camps could not withstand the strong winds.

“We distributed cash to communities ahead of the storm and provided clean water for families to survive the night. Oxfam’s main relief efforts will focus on our area of expertise: providing safe water for people as well as sanitation supplies and public health support to help prevent the spread of water-borne diseases.”

Oxfam is working closely with local communities, partners and authorities to ensure coordination of efforts and the safety of those residing in the camps in Bangladesh.

-ENDS-

Spokespeople in Bangladesh and Myanmar are available.

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Zara Sarvarian, Press Officer Oxfam GB

Mobile: +44 (0) 7584 265077

+44 (0) 7748 761999

Email: zsarvarian1@oxfam.org.uk,

media.unit@oxfam.org.uk