PRESS RELEASE : UK announces humanitarian support for 175,000 affected by Cyclone Mocha in Myanmar [May 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 May 2023.

The UK has announced £2 million in new humanitarian funding to support vulnerable communities in Myanmar, following the impact of Cyclone Mocha.

• the UK is providing an additional £2 million to support communities impacted by Cyclone Mocha in Myanmar
• this new funding will supply clean water and shelter for up to 175,000 people

Today the UK announced £2 million in new funding to support communities impacted by Cyclone Mocha in Myanmar. The cyclone has devastated vulnerable communities across northwest Myanmar, with reports of large numbers of deaths amongst the Rohingya.

The cyclone has exacerbated what is already a desperate humanitarian crisis. Following the 2021 military coup, over 17.6 million people need humanitarian assistance; over 1.8 million are displaced; and over 15 million people have limited access to food. Their needs will only increase as the impact of Cyclone Mocha becomes clearer.

The UK has already redirected £650,000 of funding to local and international partners to provide emergency assistance to those most in need. This additional £2 million will enable immediate provision of clean water and shelter for up to 175,000 people, and help mitigate the threat of disease.

International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell said:

Cyclone Mocha has caused devastation for communities who were already extremely vulnerable, including the Rohingya.

The UK is providing £2 million of new funding to support the many thousands of people left without shelter or access to clean water in Myanmar.

By partnering with organisations already on the ground in northwest Myanmar, we will be able to quickly deliver the lifesaving support that survivors need.

Since 2017, the UK has provided over £81 million to assist Myanmar communities in Rakhine State with water, hygiene and sanitation, emergency food and nutrition services, and healthcare. Over £29.8 million of this has directly supported Rohingya and other Muslim minorities. The UK has enhanced due diligence in place to ensure that no UK aid benefits the Myanmar military regime.

The UK is committed to supporting peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific and continues to stand with the people of Myanmar who are suffering once again. We reiterate our calls to an end to all violence, protection of civilians and full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all those in need.