December 2008

Inter-Agency Real Time Evaluation of the Response to

Cyclone Nargis

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Introduction

• Objectives of the RTE

• Methodology

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Overall FindingsThe Humanitarian Response has generally gone

very well…but the international community can only take limited credit for the quality & timeliness of the response

Two areas require particular focus in “real time”:– Livelihoods– Disaster Risk Reduction

Residual relief needs:– Psychosocial support – Water during the dry season

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Recommendations

Funding• Donors should make available adequate funding

for livelihood activities for the response to Cyclone Nargis and for appropriate international components of a national DRR strategy.

Protection• The HC should revisit protection gaps and

approaches should be revised accordingly.Capacity Building• More international support is required for

capacity building, of national staff in international organizations, and of local partners.

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Recommendations

Consultations with communities• Senior program staff in international

agencies should improve consultation with affected communities.

• Agencies promoting the establishment of village-level committees need to ensure that these are mutually supportive with representative membership and provide appropriate capacity building.

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Recommendations: Clusters

• Clusters need to clarify roles and responsibilities.

• Review and rationalize the current cluster system using desired outcomes at community level as the primary focus.

• Discussions on livelihoods should be consolidated by, for example, using the PONREPP process.

• Increase outreach and reduce reliance on meetings.

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Recommendation: Coordination

• The HC should oversee the formation of a local IASC.

• The IASC should look at assigning a lead

agency for severely-impacted village tracts for recovery.

• OCHA should help better adapt coordination systems to local actors through.

• Local Resource Centers should be established at the hub level to provide outreach.

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Recommendation: DRR

• The international community should support the development of a national DRR strategy for Myanmar with a robust community level component.

• Consultations should help alleviate widespread psychosocial stress.

• The HC needs to oversee recovery activities to ensure incorporation of appropriate DRR components at a community level.

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Recommendations: Livelihoods

• Recovery of livelihoods, as with with DRR, should be a top priority.

• the HC should oversee a process of consolidation, reprioritization and strengthening of M&E systems.

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Conclusions

A generally effective Humanitarian response, but…

• Some remaining humanitarian needs (dry season water, psychosocial);

• Need to strengthen linkages with field, beneficiary consultation; and

• Coherent recovery planning and adequate funding.