1 April 2013, Nay Pyi Yaw – With 1,300,000,000 Japanese Yen support of the Japanese Government UNDP will begin assistance in strengthening local governance, restoring livelihoods and building confidence among communities in 6 States of Myanmar starting in April. The one-year project ‘Strengthening Local Governance Capacity, Livelihoods and Social Cohesion for Minorities and Vulnerable Groups in Ethnic and Border Areas of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar’ will be implemented in Rakhine, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Shan and Chin States.
The agreement to fund the project was signed on 22 March in Nay Pyi Taw by H.E Mr. Mikio Numata, Japanese Ambassador to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and Mr. Toily Kurbanov, UNDP Country Director in Myanmar. Strengthening local governance, restoring livelihoods and building confidence in the states are at the core of the programme to be implemented with this fund to support communities and people who are affected by inter-communal violence and instability, and who are facing chronic food insecurity in the ethnic and border areas.
This funding will also enable to strengthen institutional capacity of local administrations in planning area development, delivering effective public services, and conflict prevention. Furthermore, UNDP will also assist in strengthening institutional capacity of civil society organizations to provide community services including civic and legal awareness and advocacy on human rights.
The assistance will directly benefit some 215,000 people in the project-supported areas. “Indirect benefits from this project should reach a large number of people in all states, helping in laying the foundation for economic recovery and peace building efforts,” Toily Kurbanov said. UNDP’s new country programme also focuses on the promotion of livelihoods in ceasefire areas and on capacity development in coordination with the Government and other stakeholders, in response to the Government’s priority in peace building.
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