Myanmar Cyclone Nargis Mawlamyinegyun Hub Update No.1

OVERVIEW & KEY DEVELOPMENTS

- In Mawlamyinegyun Township, especially in the southern part, the shortage of drinking water during the dry season, which has already started, is the biggest challenge, for the communities as well as local authorities and the humanitarian community. Before Nargis, the communities in the southern part used to fetch drinking water from the nearby area of Mawlamyinegyun town or buy drinking water from water vendors. However, the price of drinking water is expected to be higher than normal as most of the boats of water vendors were destroyed by the cyclone. Save the Children, UNICEF, MRCS/French Red Cross, UNDP and Metta Yaysin Foundation are the major actors engaging in improving access to drinking water in the township.

- Although all the agencies are doing their best to tackle the drinking water problem, there may be the gaps since each agency tends to first look after the needs of the areas of their coverage. In order to capture the drinking water need across the township, OCHA will create a database on drinking water source at the village level for Mawlamyinegyun. All WASH cluster agencies have agreed to cooperate on this exercise. The database will be completed in the first week of November.

- The Health Cluster meeting on 20 October discussed increased cooperation between food and health clusters by taking advantage of food aid distribution, such as for the distribution of HIV/AIDS IEC material and vaccination campaign such as EPI Plus. The leads of Health and Food clusters will meet to further discuss details.

- A total of seven village tracts were transferred from Labutta to Mawlamyinegyun Township administration in August: Hlaing Bone (12 villages), Pat Pyae (6 villages), Ka Zaung (8 villages), Yay Twin Kone (6 villages), Ah Lai Kyaw (9 villages), Myit Gyi Boe (9 villages), and Pyar Leik (6 villages). It appears, however, no significant assistance has been provided by agencies based in Mawlamyinegyun Township so far. OCHA plans organize the hub-level cluster leads meeting on 28 October to discuss what needs are there in these villages that might require coverage from Mawlamyinegyun based organizations.

SECTORAL UPDATE

In Mawlamyinegyun hub, seven clusters/sectors are active: Agriculture/livelihoods (chair UNDP); Child Protection (Save the Children); Education (Save the Children); Food (WFP), Logistics (WFP), Health (UNICEF); Shelter (IOM); and WASH (Save the Children). The participation of local authorities is active in Health and Education clusters with the regular attendance by TMO and TEO. In total, 14 agencies (5 UN agencies, 7 INGOs, 2 NGOs) are present in the hub. UNHCR, based in Bogale, regularly visits Mawlamyinegyun to attend General Coordination Meetings.

AGRICULTURE/LIVELIHOODS

- UNDP and the ILO plan to implement a labour intensive infrastructure project that will build bridges, jetties, streets, warehouses, and latrines in Mawlamyinegyun and Dedaye Townships. Pilot activities will be undertain in 5 villages between November and December.

- Metta Foundation recently completed an assessment on livelihoods in three villages in Shauk Chaung village tract (MMR 017018030) (Ngwe Thazin (2), Yazuna (1), Gant Gaw). Based on the findings, Metta is procuring appropriate fishing boats and nets for distribution in these villages.

Cluster focal point: Ms. Khin Win Maw, Tel: 09 861 0030

CHILD PROTECTION

- At the General Coordination Meeting on 13 October, it was agreed that the Save the Children takes the lead for CP cluster. So far, no CP cluster meeting has been held in Mawlamyinegyun. Save the Children will organize regular CP cluster meetings in Mawlamyinegyun.

Cluster focal point: U Hla Win, Tel: 09 861 0053

HEALTH

- An ambulance donated by Saudi Arabia was transferred to the Mawlamyinegyun Township Hospital on 6 October. PACT Myanmar donated medicines and medical equipment to Mawlamyinegyun Township Hospital on 11 October.

Cluster focal point: Dr. Nyunt Win Myint, Tel: 09 861 0096

FOOD

- PACT Myanmar has completed the distribution of October rations to 100 villages and, on 24 October, will start the distribution to 152 villages that used to be covered by UNDP/ICDP.

Cluster focal point: U Tun Aung, Tel: 09 861 0016

SHELTER

- IOM will start its shelter project in urban area of Mawlamyinegyun Town, providing CGI sheets and required timber. IOM is undertaking screening process for 1,200 households in Myoma(8) Ward and Chan Myae Thar Yar Ward.

Cluster focal point: U Thein Oo, Tel: 09 861 0126

WASH

- Save the Children is planning to install water bladders in 11 villages in most affected areas. In addition, Save the Children will carry the drinking water from its water treatment plant located in Kyone La Mu Gyi village to the villages where drinking water is inadequate. For long term plan, Save the Children will sink 20 deep tube wells in Mawlamyinegyun Township. Save the Children will also fill up the rain water tanks constructed by UNDP/ICDP in some villages.

- Metta Yaysin Foundation has a project for sinking 50 tube wells in the whole township. Save the Children helps Metta Yaysin Foundation test the quality of water from Metta Yaysin's tube wells. No arsenic composition has been found except some iron composition.

- MRCS/FRC is focusing on existing pond cleaning and upgrading activities.