Relief teams, donors struggle to reach hardest-hit regions in Myanmar floods

Floodwaters began to subside in some hard-hit areas of the country yesterday but relief workers were still struggling to reach the hundreds of thousands of people affected, including tens of thousands of displaced.

Stranded communities in Rakhine State and Magwe Region told The Myanmar Times they were running out of food, potable water and other supplies, despite some support arriving from private donors.

In Pwinbyu township, Magwe Region, residents reported yesterday that all road were inaccessible and many areas could be reached only by boat.

Sayadaw U Waya Manda, from Mahar Si Monastery in Pwinbyu’s Kaung Zaw village, said by phone that his monastery was virtually out of supplies. “No donation groups have arrived in our area yet. We’ve only got enough food to last a couple more days unless we get help,” he said.

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