ReliefWeb

Executive Summary

A review of the “six-plus-one” coordination functions in Myanmar found poor results in Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP); subsequently, an AAP-specific study was conducted, to examine strengths and identify areas for improvement.

The study covered 4 of the 5 areas of IASC Commitments on AAP, viz: Transparency and Information Sharing, Feedback and Complaints Mechanisms, Participation and Project Design, and Monitoring and Evaluation. It consisted of agency surveys and key informant interviews - 8 agencies in Rakhine State, 5 agencies in Kachin State.

In addition, for each WASH agency interviewed (except for 2 agencies in Rakhine state), 1 to 3 camps or villages under that agency’s management were targeted for focus group discussions (FGDs). It should also be highlighted that in Kachin State, only camps located in Government Controlled Areas (GCA) were visited.

Agencies and FGDs each reported on their experience of AAP on a scale of 1 (absence of engagement) to 4 (functioning of a comprehensive feedback and engagement system).

Overall findings show that there is progress being made in implementing the IASC CAAP by the WASH Cluster agencies in Myanmar, especially if one takes a collective outlook – the sum of individual efforts. The commitments where biggest gaps exist are, by order of priority: Feedback and Complaints Mechanisms, Participation and Transparency, and Information Sharing.

Therefore National WASH Cluster strategy and actions on AAP should be targeted at these 3 commitments, focusing on all criteria assessed in each of the commitments with a view to formally consolidate and strengthen the aspects wherein gains have been already made, and address the gaps in aspects reported as weak.