Last year, OCHA ranked Myanmar as the most at-risk Asia-Pacific country. It is vulnerable to devastating natural disasters, poverty and conflicts. Despite being a resource-rich country with a strong agricultural base, its population of over 50 million people are among the poorest in the world. Years of conflict and unresolved ethnic differences have led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people and an influx of refugees in neighbouring countries.

- The Post-Nargis Recovery and Preparedness Plan (PoNREPP) Recovery Coordination Centre (RCC) was launched on 10 June 2009, with three international staff from ASEAN and the UN system covering key duties.

- An international RCC Manager a. i. has been appointed and with the RCC Team, is providing overall support to the evolution process from humanitarian to recovery phase.

- The Cluster system is officially transitioning to the Post-Nargis Recovery and Preparedness Plan's (PoNREPP) coordination arrangement as from 01 July 2009.

- Funding for recovery activities currently

During the first underfunded emergencies (UFE) round in 2009, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocated US$75 million to 14 countries. In accordance with Secretary-General's Bulletin (ST/SGB/2006/10), the Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC), in close consultation with the participating agencies, is responsible for setting priorities for the use of the CERF UFE window and for selecting the countries to receive allocations.

Country Selection (Phase I) and Allocation of Country Envelopes (Phase II)

- The dry season strategies have been developed and implemented by the Health; Water, Sanitation and Hygiene; and Early Recovery Clusters in the Delta areas affected by water shortage.

- Several Clusters partners are reportedly phasing out of the Delta before the June deadline due to insufficient funding.

- The Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) program continues in the Delta to prepare the inhabitants for the monsoon season which starts in May.

- The Post-Nargis Recovery and Preparedness Plan (PoNREPP) Handbook on Coordination Arrangements for Post-Nargis recovery

OVERVIEW AND KEY DEVELOPMENTS

- Taiwan Tzu-chi Buddhist Group will build 390 houses at San Pya Ward, Kungyangon Township. Asia World and Kyaw Thar Construction Company have been contracted to undertake the project.

- Some informally settled families (about 80) at Let Khote Kone on the outskirts of Kungyangon are requesting support in the form of latrines and other basic assistance. Durable solutions for the long-term future of these families are currently being discussed by humanitarian partners.

OVERVIEW & KEY DEVELOPMENTS

- Ms. Natthinee Rodraksa, Operations Manager and Dr. Niken Gandini, Senior Technical Adviser from ASEAN arrived in Labutta Township on 29 January 2009. They visited Sa Lu Seik Village, Pyin Sa Lu Sub-township on 30 January and Ye Wai Village on 31 January 2009 for assessment of ASEAN's pilot project in the area.

- Mr Michael Dalton, Project Management Consultant and Mr Jens Nylund from PONREPP visited Labutta on 3 February

OVERVIEW AND KEY DEVELOPMENTS

- On 25 January, IOM held a handover ceremony of a clinic to the Department of Health in Daw Nyein Village, Pyapon Township, as well as in Bogale and Dedaye. The Minister of Health and other officials from the District, Township, Villages and agencies attended this ceremony. The Ambassadors of Thailand and Singapore served as Guests of Honor.

- The TCG Periodic Review I was published in mid-December and is now being distributed. The TCG Periodic Review II

Member States, led by the Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, met in New York on 4 December 2008 at the CERF high-level pledging conference to renew their commitment to the Fund. Despite the gloomy world economic outlook, nearly $380 million was raised by the end of the day.

Ten new supporters joined the CERF: Afghanistan, Benin, Kenya, Laos, Mozambique, Oman, St. Lucia, Samoa, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam. Dominica, Gabon and Myanmar have confirmed that they will also