Yangon: The NLD Arakan committee for relief and rehabilitation for Cyclone Giri victims distributed donations from democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Arakan State from 30 November to 2 December, said Ko Thein Hlaing, Joint-Secretary of the NLD Arakan State.

He said, "We received a donation worth 3.9 million kyat from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on 24 November. We went to Arakan State on 27 November and distributed the donations in Mray Bon and Pauktaw Townships between 30 November and 2 December."

The committee distributed the donations to six of the worst-hit villages in Mray Bon and Pauktaw Townships.

"We donated 5,000 kyat and 10 kilograms of rice to each family in six villages in the two townships. They were very happy when they knew the donation was from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. They felt themselves that Daw Aung Suu Kyi did not neglect the cyclone-affected people in Arakan," he added.

The committee distributed the donations in the following six villages: Tae Dwe, Kin Shwe, and Kum Chai in Pauktaw Township, and Amyat Htut, Tae Chaung Wra, and Tae Chaung Wra Hong in Mray Bon Township.

"We saw many cyclone victims are still staying in many makeshift camps without roofs or wells. At the same time, victims are suffering from a shortage of drinking water and food. Many reservoirs or ponds were damaged be salt water tides in the cyclone. Getting drinking water is a big problem for many villages in the area," he said.

He also said that many middle and high school students in the cyclone-hit area have dropped out of school because their family can not provide for the education fees, and many primary students are attending temporary schools without any school books or stationery.

Some villages in Mray Bon, Pauktaw, and Kyauk Pru are also facing outbreaks of diarrhea right now, and some people have already died from the disease, he added.

Relief from NGOs and other social groups has only arrived at places that are more easily reached by motor boat. Many villages that are hard to reach and have poor communication networks are not doing well, and are still waiting for any relief aid to arrive, the source said.