"Glide No: TC-2023-000069-MMR A. SITUATION ANALYSIS Description of the crisis Cyclone Storm Mocha has caused extensive devastation in the country, affecting regions already facing challenges due to civil unrest, armed clashes, a changing climate and a fragile economy. The cyclone brought about destructive storm surges, heavy rainfall, and flooding, impacting areas such as Rakhine, Chin, Magway, Ayeyarwady, Mandalay, and Sagaing. The State Administration Council responded by declaring natural disaster areas in Rakhine and Chin states, activating legal provisions which acknowledge the crucial role of the Myanmar Red Cross Society in responding such crises. Initial data from the Myanmar Red Cross Society reveals that over 237,000 households across multiple states and regions have been affected. Water systems, sanitation facilities, public and community infrastructure, including hospitals, clinics, schools, and religious buildings, as well as transportation infrastructure, have suffered severe damage or complete destruction. Livelihoods have been severely disrupted with the loss of livestock and flooding impacting cropland. Notably, housing has also been significantly affected, with a large number of semi-permanent and temporary shelters damaged or destroyed, leaving over 200,000 houses in need of repair. The cyclone's aftermath has led to increased prices of basic goods, and the situation has taken a toll on the physical and mental health of the affected population. Disrupted access to healthcare, medicine shortages, and the risks posed by landmines in flooded conflict areas further exacerbate the challenges. Urgent measures are required to protect and support unaccompanied children. Summary of response Overview of the host National Society and ongoing response The Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) is an independent humanitarian organization that operates impartially and neutrally. Its role as an auxiliary to the state in the humanitarian field, operating in line with the Red Cross Red Crescent Fundamental Principles, is stated in the Myanmar Red Cross Society Law of 2015. The MRCS has a strong presence with over a thousand trained Emergency Response Team (ERT) volunteers and 44,000 members nationwide, including 7,994 core Red Cross Volunteers (RCV) active at the community level. The organization has 23 warehouses strategically located throughout the country to support preparedness and response efforts. It also has regional and state branches across the country, and a substantial presence in various operational hubs in Rakhine State, under the management of the MRCS Rakhine Operations Management Unit established since several years. The MRCS has established communication channels and built relationships with local authorities and communities in the affected areas through its local staff, volunteers, and branches. This enables them to reach vulnerable communities and provide immediate humanitarian assistance. Through its community presence, MRCS has access on the ground and has collected data as well as assessed the impact of Cyclone Mocha in Rakhine State and Magway and Ayeyarwady regions in particular. In anticipation of the cyclone, the MRCS activated its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) one week before landfall and initiated preparedness measures and early actions well in advance. Prior to landfall, MRCS volunteers in the projected path and impact zone assisted with evacuations, conducted awareness campaigns, and gathered preliminary data. After the cyclone made landfall, on 14 May, MRCS branches mobilized their volunteers to engage in rescue operations, clear roads and debris, provide first aid and psychosocial support, and collect initial observations and data. MRCS also mobilized its existing operational resources to respond to the aftermath, deploying trained expert personnel to directly provide assistance and provide support services such as logistics and supply chain. MRCS has conducted three Movement tripartite meetings thus far. Additionally, four operational coordination meetings were organized in collaboration with the IFRC, involving in-country partners and the ICRC, to provide technical and planning support to MRCS for the response. This Emergency Appeal is part of a Federation-wide approach, based on the response priorities of the MRCS and in consultation with all IFRC members contributing to the response, requiring regular planning and coordination. To ensure regular risk analysis and security planning, tripartite security cell meetings have been established. Moreover, MRCS and IFRC actively participate in HCT meetings and Cluster coordination as part of their external coordination efforts. In order to provide ongoing assistance to the MRCS in Rakhine state which is most severely affected by cyclone Mocha, the IFRC Myanmar Delegation has deployed a Senior Service Manager and Senior Operations Officer who are currently stationed in the area. Their presence allows for direct involvement in the coordination structures at Rakhine state level, where they actively participate in collaborative efforts to develop and execute a comprehensive assistance plan. Apart from assisting the MRCS with the Cyclone Mocha response under the Federation-wide appeal, the Partner National Societies within the country, as well as those actively supporting remotely, expressed their readiness to support a range of programs, including basic needs assistance, protection, and MHPSS. These programs will be implemented in a coordinated manner, aligning with the MRCS Strategic Plan and Unified Plan and operating under shared leadership, since some Partner National Societies have shown interest sharing leadership in specific areas or sectors based on their expertise..."