Cyclone Mocha destroyed about 216,681 houses, affected more than one million residents and caused an estimated damage of about 1.5 billion dollars in Arakan State, reports the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA /AA).
“The damage is estimated at 1.5 billion dollars. So we need at least 1 billion dollars to rebuild them,” said U Khaing Thu Kha, spokesman for the Arakan Army (AA).
The ethnic army spokesman further said that soldiers from AA are actively involved in efforts to rebuild cyclone-affected areas such as Sittwe, Kyauktaw, Rathedaung, Pauktaw, Mrauk-U, Ponnagyun, Minbya and Myebon Townships.
“We are working diligently and deploying one battalion per village to rebuild the houses, repair the slanted houses and restore cleanliness in each village,” he said.
Caption: AA soldiers help rebuild the homes of people affected by the storm (Photo: ULA/AA)
According to reports, most of the houses in the storm-hit towns have almost been restored, but residents who make a living on the bare income have not been able to repair their homes.
According to ULA /AA, Cyclone Mocha destroyed 1,507 religious buildings, 971 school facilities, and 252 hospitals/clinics, with an additional loss of 15,388 cattle and an estimated 1.5 billion dollars in damage.
U Khaing Thukha added that the devastating effects of Cyclone Mocha in Arakan claimed 146 lives – 96 in Sittwe Township, 37 in Rathedaung Township, seven in Pauktaw Township, four in Ponnagyun Township and two in Kyauktaw Township, while ten people were injured and three others were missing.
These figures were confirmed by the families of the victims and supported by data collected by ULA /AA members on the ground.
Ethnic armed organizations have also donated money through ULA /AA, which will be used to provide food and emergency shelter to the storm-affected population.
U Khaing Thukha further said that the armed ethnic organization is also making necessary preparations for the cropping season in the state, where 70 percent of the population are farmers.
“The rainy season is just around the corner, and it is crucial that we have the opportunity to plant rice in time. If we can’t grow rice in time, there will be difficulties in the next dry season. But if we can grow rice in time, there will be no such problems. Farmers make up 70 percent of Arakan’s population. Therefore, we are also making preparations by providing tractors and other necessary equipment to facilitate farming,” he said.
Residents said they face great challenges in rebuilding their homes, while many families continue to struggle to make a living.
According to the military council’s official figures, Cyclone Mocha affected some 1,156,796 people, of whom 148 lost their lives and 62 were injured. The cyclone destroyed 241,071 buildings and 716 vehicles and vessels. In addition, 27,617 domestic animals perished, and the total damage is estimated at 4898.6 million kyats.
Sent by Narinjara.