Villagers, in Ga Nan Taung Village, located in Ponnagyun Township, Rakhine State, are not impressed by the Junta’s relief assistance that included 24 cans of rice, as well as a few worn-out garments for approximately 800 individuals.
The coup regime had systematically denied access to international aid and UN agencies for over 1 million people suffering the Cyclone Mocha.
On June 30, the Pannagyun Township General Administrator's Office distributed relief supplies to Ga Nan Taung Village. The distribution included 24 cans of rice, a few old torn clothes, 40 bars of soap, 5 mosquito nets, 5 bed sheets, and 12 packets of boiled rice, according to villagers.
A woman from the village remarked that the old clothes provided by the Military Council among the current relief items do not meet the needs of the people affected by the cyclone.
"The clothing provided consists of shirts and damaged women's longyis. The A-Htet-Sin are also torn. The use of these worn-out garments sends a message that our people are deemed of little value. I want to stress that the Mocha cyclone has left our entire community's homes in ruins. Rather than offering us useless torn longyis, I urge for support in meeting at least half of our essential needs, even if it cannot fully address the situation,” she said.
"The clothing has become worn-out. The A-Htet-Sin, a fabric used as a black waistband in women's longyis, has become noticeably worn-out. We are currently in talks with the villagers to organize the distribution of these items. While some individuals may not have a need for them, there are many who are in great need. There are many poor people in Ga Nan Taung, so we are thinking about distributing this," he said.
The female residents of the village also expressed their preference for not accepting worn-out clothes.
Following the cyclone, the local residents reported receiving assistance from the Military Council for the first time. They stated that the entire village received a total of 20 sheets of 6-foot zinc roof and each household was provided with 12 cans of rice. Among the 20 sheets of zinc roof, two were found to be old and worn-out, the villagers said.
On the second occasion, the entire village received a total of 28 sheets of 7-foot zinc roofs, along with Mamee noodles and a supply of toothpaste.This marks the third round of relief items provided by the Military Council to the village.The village consists of 195 houses and has an approximate population of 800 residents.
According to the villagers, all the houses in the village sustained damage as a result of cyclone Mocha. Out of the total number of houses, 78 completely collapsed, while the rest were partially destroyed.
