Post-Cyclone RecoveryPolicies and Coordination in Myanmar 2008-2010Iizuka Ryoko, MEP13101Policy Design and Implementation, GRIPSJuly 19, 2013

1OutlineBackgroundCyclone NargisResponse Policies and Coordination Mechanisms4. Challenges and Reflections

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Population 51.5 millionOver 10 ethnic groups main Bamar 68% (Buddhist), small % of Christian, Muslim, Hindu, etc.

31. Background1962Military rule starts1988Student demonstration1990National election -NLD victory ignored20037-step Roadmap to Disciplined Democracy2007Saffron revolution2008Cyclone Nargis, Referendum on constitution2010National Election USDP victory2011New Government President Thein Sein

Photo source: Not My Tribe 4Working Environment 2008No UNDAF or PRSPUNDP stopped country program in 1993 (allowed only grassroots activities, no direct engagement with the government) NGOs severely restrictedOnly UNDP has this mandateIn 2012, World Bank and EU are establishing offices52. Cyclone NargisHit Delta region and Yangon in May 2008Killed 140,000, affected 2.4 MDamage US$4.1 B

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Over 250 km7

Cyclone affected villages83. Response: Major Events and Policy ToolsDateEventWhoWhat2 MayCyclone Nargis3 National Disaster Preparedness Central Committee GoMEmergency response with 10 sub-committees9 ASEAN Humanitarian Task ForceASEANAgreed to assist19Flash Appeal (1) UNOCHARequest $187M for 6 months25ASEAN-UN International Pledging ConferenceASEAN-UN-GoM Agreed to form a Tripartite Core Group 31Post-Nargis Joint Assessment (PONJA)TCG10 JulFlash Appeal (2)UNOCHARevised request $482M for 1 year DecPost-Nargis Recovery and Preparedness Plan (PONREPP)TCG3-year recovery strategy (09-11), request $691M PONJA: The Post-Nargis Joint Assessment (PONJA) is a comprehensive multi-sectoral assessment of the situation in the areas of Myanmar affected by Cyclone Nargis. It was coordinated jointly by the Government of Myanmar, ASEAN and the United Nations. Came out in July 2008.

Flash Appeal: July. http://ochaonline.un.org/cap2006/webpage.asp?Page=1673A UN-NGO Flash Appeal for US$187 million was issued for Myanmar on 9 May, six days after the cyclone, and was 96% funded vis-a-vis the original target. Complex humanitarian and early recovery needs required the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Country Team to substantially revise the original Flash Appeal into a year-long response plan. The revised Flash Appeal, structured around the results of the PONJA, maintained the same sectoral focus, with additional emphasis on early recovery and cross-cutting issues. The revised Flash Appeal covered 103 projects in 13 key sectors, submitted by 13 UN agencies and 23 NGOs to assist 2.4 million most severely affected people. The total amount requested was $481 million (which was revised further later on), of which $178 million had already been committed in response to the original flash appeal.

9ASEAN-led Coordination Mechanism

Source: PONJA, 20083 reps from GoMM. of Foreign AffairsM. of Social Welfare and ResettlementM. of Agriculture and Irrigation10In-Country Coordination Mechanism13 UN agencies, 23 NGOs, plus local NGOs, private sector 11PONREPP8 Key AreasLivelihoodsShelterEducationHealthWater, Sanitation, HygieneDisaster Risk ReductionEnvironmentVulnerable Groups As of Jun 2010, $348M received. With needs ($691M) not met, prioritized action plan developed with $103M (5 sectors).

PONREPP: Post-Nargis Recovery and Preparedness Plan (PONREPP), which came out in Dec 2008, is a three-year strategy, from 2009 - 2011, to bring about durable recovery in the areas affected by Cyclone Nargis, and was developed by the Government of the Union of Myanmar, the United Nations and the ASEAN in collaboration with the humanitarian community. Identifying overall objectives and specific targets for each of the eight key sectors (Livelihoods, Shelter, Education, Health, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Disaster Risk Reduction, Environment, and Vulnerable Groups), PONREPP sets out a framework for assistance from the international community that is complementary to the Governments own reconstruction plans. The PONREPP proposes a strategy that is community-based, while also strengthening aid coordination, management, and tracking to promote maximum aid effectiveness. US$691 million was requested for PONREPP covering 2009 2011. As of June 2010, the fund received through Flash Appeal amounted to US$348 million, including pledges for PONREPP (figures from Periodic Review IV). PONREPP has been largely underfunded.

UN-HABITAT estimates some 375,000 people (75,000 households) need housing across the affected area, 3 years after Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar. Under PONREPP, of the US$173.6 million recommended for shelter recovery, just $30 million has been received, making it the least funded sector of all.

12UNDP Myanmar Response1) Emergency response:Water, food, clearing debris, shelter, grants2) Integrated Community-based Early Recovery: US$23 for 2 years, covering 500 villages1. Livelihood2. Infrastructure3. Capacity Development4. Disaster Risk ReductionBSP: Debris removal, pond cleaning, cash grants, shelter construction

ICERF: UNDP HQSURGEBureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR)PONREPPParticipatory approach, focus on vulnerable groups, Gender Mainstreaming, Environmental Sustainability, Capacity Development, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) principleDRR Vulnerability13

Left: Shelter construction Right: Pond cleaning critical to catch monsoon rain to ensure drinking water for the rest of the year144. Challenges Coordination: numerous actors at multiple levels with different objectives, in fast changing environment. Priority: massive needs with limited funds. Tarps or shelters? How many can you cover?Ideal vs. Reality: Build Back Better, Early Recovery, Sustainability, Community OwnershipCapacity vs. Reality: you want to do so much but your time, money, capacity are all limited.

15ReflectionsTo coordinate well, you need to know what you can do and what others can do. No prior relations or trust can hamper your coordination. Governments track record greatly affect donors.Leaders accurate judgment and direction is critical.It was an over-ambitious program, yet necessary. Think of how to maximize your limited resources to do more.

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