Cyclone Mocha Response in Myanmar and Bangladesh
Cyclone Mocha leaves a trail of destruction.
“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 adequate funds required to help them live a life of dignity.”
The most powerful cyclone to hit Myanmar and Bangladesh in more than ten years.
Super cyclonic storm Mocha made landfall in Myanmar’s Rakhine state area, reaching a speed of 250 kmph, and crossing low-lying areas including Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh on 14th May 2023.
Initial reports indicate that the powerful Cyclone Mocha has caused extensive damage to infrastructure and loss of lives in the western region of Myanmar. The storm has particularly affected thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in camps in the area. In Bangladesh, the strong winds have caused significant damage to the temporary bamboo homes in the Teknaf area of Cox's Bazar, the largest refugee camp in the world.
Oxfam's Response in Myanmar
On 14th May, super cyclonic storm Mocha made a historic landfall in Myanmar's Rakhine state with a record-breaking wind speed of 250 kmph. This is the strongest cyclone to hit the country since the devastating cyclone Nargis in 2008. The impact of Mocha extended beyond Rakhine state, affecting Chin, Magway, and Sagaing along its path. The cyclone caused severe damage to buildings, disrupted communication networks, and left communities and humanitarian agencies witnessing its severe impacts. Oxfam and partners are currently assessing the scale of Cyclone Mocha’s devastation in Myanmar to mount a humanitarian response to provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, as well as emergency cash and food.
Oxfam's Response in Bangladesh
Cyclone Mocha caused extensive damage in Bangladesh's Teknaf area and uprooted trees, and damaged homes, power lines, and other structures. The cyclone crossed the Cox's Bazar coast on 14th May with wind speeds of around 100 kmph while the wind was in Santmartin Island at about 147 kmph. Around 2,022 houses were fully and 10,469 houses were partially damaged in Cox's Bazar, and around 1,200 houses were fully damaged in Santmartin. Initially, an estimated 334,620 people were affected by the storm in various areas, but the actual number is yet to be confirmed. Oxfam in Bangladesh will fix the affected WASH infrastructure, provide food and rebuild shelters destroyed by the cyclone
Bangladesh
