In response to widespread criticism, the Rakhine State government appointed by the Military Junta, has recently reversed its widely condemned decision to block the access of local and foreign NGOs seeking to provide vital humanitarian aid to the affected people of Rakhine State.
Recognizing the urgent need for assistance following the devastating impact of Cyclone Mocha on the region, the authorities have now granted permission for NGOs to enter Rakhine State and actively participate in the relief efforts.
A statement issued by Colonel Kyaw Thura, Rakhine State Minister for Security and Border Affairs, has said that some selected NGOs have been granted permission to engage in local development activities in Rakhine State. These NGOs are authorized to resume operations based on the previously established terms and conditions.
Since June 8th, the Military Council had implemented a sudden and inexplicable ban on access of both local and foreign NGOs, preventing them from delivering much-needed humanitarian aid to Rakhine State.
After facing a wave of criticism following the issuance of a letter by the Military Council to enforce this prohibition, on June 11th, another letter was released to reverse the decision and restore access of NGOs to Rakhine State.
"They have blocked the access of local and foreign donors to Rakhine State, but they themselves are not able to support the people. With the marginal aid they provided, the people affected by the storm did not even have enough rice to eat”, an official of a local social relief organization told Narinjara.
The Military Council has issued a directive for NGOs, which are independent of the government, to notify local authorities in advance when carrying out relief and support operations. Furthermore, in order to address concerns about potential disparities in supply distribution, the Military Council requests that NGOs collaborate with and inform local administrations when distributing supplies. These guidelines were shared by advocate-general U Hla Thein, who serves as the spokesperson for the Rakhine State government under the Military Council, via social media.
The previous ban imposed by the Military Council on aid NGOs entering Rakhine State had left storm-affected individuals and internally displaced people (IDPs) deeply concerned about their ability to survive with almost nothing to live on, after the storm.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has strongly denounced any efforts to impede the delivery of aid to the refugees affected by the storm, particularly as the monsoon rainy season approaches.
