UNITED NATIONS, May 12 (Xinhua) -- United Nations agencies spent Friday preparing for the potential disaster caused by an intensifying cyclone Mocha in the Bay of Bengal.
According to UN News, the severe cyclonic storm "poses a significant threat" to Bangladesh and Myanmar, with the potential for violent winds, flooding, and landslides that could affect vulnerable populations.
The World Meteorological Organization predicts Mocha will move towards coastal areas of Bangladesh and Myanmar, with landfall expected between Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh and Kyaukpyu in Myanmar.
The Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar camps, who experienced the impact of Bay of Bengal cyclone Sitrang in 2022, are "preparing for the worst."
According to the report, the International Organization for Migration has trained refugee volunteers on cyclone preparedness, distributed emergency shelter materials and hygiene kits, and provided personal protective gear.
The World Health Organization has mobilized ambulances and medical teams, while the UN refugee agency has prepositioned food supplies and is ready to provide hot meals.
However, there are concerns about landslides, flooding and damage to infrastructure, including power supplies and communication networks, UN News says.
In Myanmar, local communities are also urgently preparing for the cyclone, and humanitarian organizations have pre-positioned personnel and supplies.
Despite these efforts, funding for Myanmar's UN humanitarian response plan "remains inadequate." UN agencies emphasize the need for sustainable climate adaptation, preparedness and disaster risk reduction measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change and protect vulnerable communities, according to UN News. ■
