Myanmar Cyclone Nargis Yangon Hub Update No. 2

OVERVIEW & KEY DEVELOPMENTS

- Six months after the Cyclone, some organisations in Yangon Division are either re-strategizing or planning to phase out. Organisations like Islamic Relief, ICRC, TDH from Italy and Myanmar Health Assistant Association (MHAA) are planning to phase out while others like World Vision, Care Myanmar, are reducing their capacity and undertaking assessments and trainings for early recovery projects. New players are also coming in such as Social Vision Services (SVS) who plans to provide seeds, technology and other necessities for planting winter crops (Bean and Sunflower) in 4 selected villages in Dedaye. They also plan to train and distribute IEC materials and tools to farmers followed by edutainment, cash for work and education activities.

- Following the launch of the Post Nargis Periodic Review, enumerator training took place between the 20th and 27th of October 2008. Fieldwork in Yangon Division started in earnest on the 29th of October and is progressing well.

- Ministry of Social Welfare and Resettlement, together with Mingalar Myanmar have so far jointly organized 4 training of trainers (ToT) sessions on Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in Yangon since September. They are also giving multiplier trainings on DRM in the Delta.

- A new modern village is to rise in Kungyangon, constructed by a Buddhist monk from Sri Lanka, with support from colleagues in Sri Lanka, Singapore, Taiwan and other Asian countries. About 400 houses will be constructed, including a mini clinic, schools, roads, a library, a community hall, a computer centre, a stadium, gardens and an administrative office in the village. It will be set up on a 180 acre of land between Kamapar village and Naung Gue village.

- The regular TCC coordination meeting in Kungyangon has been revised from weekly to fortnightly.

SECTORAL UPDATE

AGRICULTURE

- IDE Kawhmu finished their rainy season crop project. They have distributed 39,550 baskets of paddy seeds, 4,618 urea bags of fertilizer, 2341 T super bags, 18 power tillers and 376 gallons of diesel to 3,964 farmers and 11,816 bags of rice to 11,816 landless farmers.

- In Dedaye, FAO, UN agencies, INGOs and local CBOs are exploring ways to find out ways to re-grow mangrove and raise awareness to the local communities for preventing the further mangrove forest loss.

- FAO and CESVI organized a Livestock and Fishery sector guidelines workshop on 31 October at CESVI and Oxfam offices. 55 participants benefited from the training. Experts from FAO and Officials from the Township Fishery and Livestock Departments facilitated the workshop.

EARLY RECOVERY

- MCRS has concluded its assessments in Twantay, Dedaye and Kungyangon and started cash / food for work projects in selected village tracts. Villagers are however asking for slightly higher payments than MRCS has planned. The payment level varies depending on township.

EDUCATION

- The Kawhmu Township Education Officer (TEO) advised that 63 schools need reconstruction. Some schools are far from the town and difficult to reach. Meanwhile, studies are being conducted on the durability of temporary learning spaces.