Myanmar: UN says insufficient aid reaching areas devastated by Cyclone Mocha

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The United Nations has reported that insufficient aid has reached parts of Myanmar affected by the massive Cyclone Mocha slammed into the western state of Rakhine last month, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Dealing with the aftermath of the cyclone is especially difficult for Christians who are already struggling under violent persecution by Myanmar’s military government.

The Extremely Severe Cyclone Mocha hit Myanmar on May 14, causing destructive flooding in low-lying areas of Rakhine, especially in and around the state capital, Sittwe, ReliefWeb International reported.

In the wake of the cyclone, Myanmar’s junta military government has distributed some aid. Still, international relief organizations have had restricted access due to the country’s volatile, violent political situation, ICC said. Christians and non-Buddhists risk not being given government aid as the military junta has violently oppressed minority communities.

“The humanitarian situation is complicated by the ongoing civil war in the country driven by politics and religion,” ICC said in its report. “The Buddhist majority population has historically controlled the government and the military in Myanmar, at times using its power to oppress ethnic and religious minorities including Christians and Muslims.”

“Christians living among the Rohingya Muslim population in Rakhine are likely to face persecution from both the government and community for ethnic and religious reasons,” ICC added. “The cyclone worsens an already precarious environment for Christians.”

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