JAKARTA, 22 May 2023 – On 21 May 2023, ASEAN delivered the first batch of Disaster Emergency Logistics System for ASEAN (DELSA) relief items of USD 100,000 in value to support the people of Myanmar affected by the Tropical Cyclone MOCHA.
Tropical Cyclone MOCHA made landfall on the shores of Rakhine State, Myanmar, as a Category 4 Hurricane on 14 May 2023, affecting several vulnerable communities in Myanmar, including those in Rakhine State, Chin State, Bago, Ayeyarwady, Sagaing and Magway regions. Initial assessment has shown severe damages to infrastructure and public facilities (e.g. schools and healthcare facilities). As of 21 May 2023, the number of deaths stand at 145, 131 injured, 912,000 people evacuated to safer places and the estimated total cost of damage is USD 2.7 Million. Moreover, displaced people continue to rise as search-and-rescue efforts and data collection on the impacts and damages are ongoing.
The ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) is preparing to deliver more relief items from the DELSA Regional Warehouse in Malaysia and Satellite Warehouse in Thailand. The ASEAN Emergency Response and Assessment Team (ASEAN-ERAT) have also been deployed to conduct rapid needs assessment and to facilitate the delivery of relief items.
The Secretary-General of ASEAN has expressed his condolences to the affected communities and is closely monitoring the situation. Pursuant to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the Impact of Cyclone MOCHA on Myanmar issued on 15 May 2023, the Secretary-General stands ready to serve as the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Coordinator (SG-AHAC) to provide strategic coordination and facilitate resource mobilization. Additional contributions from ASEAN Member States, external partners, and stakeholders including international humanitarian organisations are greatly appreciated to support ASEAN’s efforts in alleviating the suffering of the people affected by Cyclone MOCHA.
For more information on the impacts of Tropical Cyclone MOCHA and ASEAN’s ongoing assistance, please visit the ASEAN Disaster Information Network (ADINet) [https://adinet.ahacentre.org/] and the AHA Centre website [https://ahacentre.org/situation-updates/].
