MYANMAR: INTERNATIONAL HELP STILL URGENTLY NEEDED FOR POST-CYCLONE REBUILDING – UN

People in Myanmar affected by last year's devastating Cyclone Nargis need considerable help in restoring their lives, the United Nations-backed group assisting the reconstruction of the South-East Asian nation said today, appealing to the international community for continued support.

"Experience from natural disasters of similar scale of destruction has shown that recovery support will be required for years to come," said Bishow Parajuli, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Myanmar.

He added that recovery efforts in the wake of the massive 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami are only beginning to be phased out now.

International assistance, therefore, is urgently required for early- and medium-term recovery efforts outlined in the three-year Post-Nargis Response and Preparedness Plan (PONREPP), which was launched earlier this year by the Tripartite Core Group (TCG), comprising the Myanmar Government, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the UN.

That plan, which has a price tag of nearly $700 million, provides the blueprint for the reconstruction of communities devastated by the cyclone, which battered the country last May, leaving around 140,000 dead or missing and displacing 800,000 from their homes.

The need for funds – particularly for the shelter and agriculture sectors – is especially acute since the monsoon season will begin in just four weeks.

Over 1,000 families are still taking shelter in vulnerable buildings that provide minimal protection from possibly severe weather conditions, while small, poultry and draught animals must be re-stocked to assist vulnerable and landless households.

Assistance to farmers is essential to jump-start the local economy and restore agriculture-based livelihoods. Other areas needing boosts include education, especially for girls, and health.

The UN is currently arranging for another donor meeting to discuss needs in Yangon this week.
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MANDATE OF UN-BACKED GROUP SUPPORTING MYANMAR CYCLONE RECOVERY EXTENDED

MANDATE OF UN-BACKED GROUP SUPPORTING MYANMAR CYCLONE RECOVERY EXTENDED
New York, Mar 4 2009 2:00PM

The United Nations-backed group assisting the reconstruction of Myanmar after it was devastated by Cyclone Nargis, which left around 140,000 dead or missing and uprooted 800,000 from their homes, has been given a another year in its role facilitating the recovery work in the South Asian country.

The mandate of the Tripartite Core Group (TCG) – which consists of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Government of Myanmar and the UN – has been extended until next July to allow it to continue its efforts in supporting Myanmar in its recovery efforts.

The TCG developed the three-year Post-Nargis Response and Preparedness Plan (PONREPP), which was launched last month and provides a blueprint for the reconstruction of communities devastated by the Cyclone Nargis.

The medium-term recovery needs identified in the PONREPP amount to $691 million over the next three called for the extension of the TCG as a basis for providing continued funding.

"The results on the ground which have been achieved during the past ten months since Nargis struck prove that the assistance is reaching the people and that the joint humanitarian response at large has been successful," said Bishow Parajuli, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, said today.

"At the same time, challenges remain and the affected population will need continued support as outlined in the three-year recovery plan. With the extension of the TCG, the UN in Myanmar appeals to the international donor community to continue supporting the affected people," he added.
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