Rakhine State — War-displaced people, who sought refuge in Kyaukutaw Township in Rakhine State continue to suffer the daunting task of rebuilding their shelters themselves after the damage inflicted by Cyclone Mocha.
During the storm, a total of 44 tents and huts were ravaged at the refugee camp located on Kyauktaw's football field. The anticipated aid never arrived. The camp's inhabitants were sadly left to their own devices to reconstruct their shelters.
"We didn't receive any help from the government. Despite financial constraints, camp residents have had to borrow money to fix their homes”, U San Shwe Thaung, the officer in-charge of the IDP camp located on a football field told DMG.
Camp residents are forced to dip into their personal funds to cover expenses such as buying wood, bamboo, nails, and other necessary materials.
According to camp officials in the initial days following the cyclone, the Military Council provided each war-displaced individual with 1.5 pyi of rice on four occasions, and distributed some clothing. However no further assistance has been received since that time.
War-displaced individuals also said that they reported the number of houses damaged by the cyclone to the Military Council, but there has been no response or change to the situation.
At present, an NGO has delivered two rolls of 10ft x 8ft tarpaulin sheets for each family living in damaged houses in the camp, to serve as temporary shelter roofs.
Likewise, at the Kawi Yadana war refugee camp, the Military Council offered no assistance in repairing the 60 houses damaged by the cyclone. As a result, the residents are undertaking the reconstruction efforts in self-reliant ways.
To assist in the camp's rebuilding efforts, an NGO has supplied essential construction materials, including zinc-coated roofs, wood, and bamboo. Camp residents are also taking out loans to procure other required items.
"I have to buy the building materials myself, like bamboo, and do the rebuilding on my own. I can't afford to hire workers or carpenters, so I have to use what little knowledge I have. When I'm short on money, I have to borrow from others. Right now, I need more bamboo, so I'll have to borrow around 30,000 kyats to get it”, said Daw Ma Hla Thein, a war-displaced person from Kawi Yadana camp.
While some of the refugees are in the process of repairing their homes, a lack of funds has prevented them from completing the construction, forcing them to temporarily halt the work.
Prior to the cyclone, war-displaced individuals already faced sporadic food donations and were now compelled to rely on their meagre resources to carry out home repairs.
"I need to purchase 100 bamboo poles for 44000 kyats, even though I'm on a tight budget: it's essential. I'm slowly repairing my house, but due to financial constraints, progress is limited”, said U Oo Shwe Thein, a resident of the football field camp.
DMG reached out to Kyauktaw Township administrator U Kyaw Swar Nyunt and Rakhine State's Military Council Spokesperson U Hla Thein regarding the challenges faced by war-displaced people, but they did not respond to the calls.
Five months have passed since Cyclone Mocha struck the Rakhine coast, yet those impacted by the disaster continue to grapple with food shortages and recovery obstacles.
