Post-Cyclone RecoveryPolicies and Coordination in Myanmar 2008-2010

Iizuka Ryoko, MEP13101Policy Design and Implementation, GRIPSJuly 19, 2013

Outline

1. Background

2. Cyclone Nargis

3. Response –

Policies and Coordination Mechanisms

4. Challenges and Reflections

1. Background

1962 Military rule starts1988 Student demonstration1990 National election -

NLD victory ignored

2003 7-step Roadmap to Disciplined Democracy2007 Saffron revolution2008 Cyclone Nargis, Referendum on

constitution

2010 National Election – USDP victory2011 New Government – President Thein Sein

Photo source: Not My Tribe

Working Environment 2008

•No UNDAF or PRSP

•UNDP stopped country program in 1993 (allowed only grassroots activities, no direct engagement with the government)

•NGOs severely restricted

2. Cyclone Nargis

•Hit Delta region and Yangon in May 2008

•Killed 140,000, affected 2.4 M

•Damage US$4.1 B

Cyclone affected villages

3. Response: Major Events and Policy ToolsDate Event Who What2 May

Cyclone Nargis    

3 National Disaster Preparedness Central Committee

GoM Emergency response with 10 sub-committees

9 ASEAN Humanitarian Task Force

ASEAN Agreed to assist

19 Flash Appeal (1) UNOCHA Request $187M for 6 months

25 ASEAN-UN International Pledging Conference

ASEAN-UN-GoM

Agreed to form a Tripartite Core Group

31 Post-Nargis Joint Assessment (PONJA)

TCG  

10 Jul

Flash Appeal (2) UNOCHA Revised request $482M for 1 year

Dec Post-Nargis Recovery and Preparedness Plan (PONREPP)

TCG 3-year recovery strategy (‘09-11), request $691M

ASEAN-led Coordination Mechanism

Source: PONJA, 20083 reps from GoM- M. of Foreign Affairs- M. of Social Welfare

and Resettlement- M. of Agriculture and

Irrigation

In-Country Coordination Mechanism

TCG

ASEAN-UN- GoM meetings

Field Hubs

Sectoral Clusters

10 Clusters

(Agencies &

Ministries)

Field Clusters

Inter-Agency Standing

Committee

UN-NGOs-

Red Cross meetings

Donors

Meetings with UN,

NGOs

Frequent Field

Missions

PONREPP8 Key Areas1. Livelihoods2. Shelter3. Education4. Health5. Water, Sanitation, Hygiene6. Disaster Risk Reduction7. Environment8. Vulnerable Groups

As of Jun 2010, $348M received. With needs ($691M) not met, prioritized action plan developed with $103M (5 sectors).

UNDP Myanmar Response

1) Emergency response:Water, food, clearing debris, shelter, grants…

2) Integrated Community-based Early Recovery:

US$23 Ｍ for 2 years, covering 500 villages1. Livelihood2. Infrastructure3. Capacity Development4. Disaster Risk Reduction

Left: Shelter construction

Right: Pond cleaning – critical to catch monsoon rain to ensure drinking water for the rest of the year

4. 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 Ownership…

•Capacity vs. Reality: you want to do so much but your time, money, capacity are all limited.

Reflections

•To coordinate well, you need to know what you can do and what others can do.

•No prior relations or trust can hamper your coordination. Government’s track record greatly affect donors.

•Leader’s 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.