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Myanmar

Myanmar: Periodic Review - urgent needs still to be met for the cyclone affected people

Yangon, Myanmar, 15 December 2008 - Relief assistance to the Cyclone Nargis affected people in Myanmar continues to be needed, even as recovery efforts have commenced. That is one of the key findings in the 'Periodic Review', a comprehensive field assessment that today was endorsed by the Tripartite Core Group (TCG). The Periodic Review is reviewing the humanitarian relief and early recovery efforts in the Cyclone-affected areas while also producing sectoral data for use in the planning of continued assistance. The assessment was led by the TCG with the active participation of national and international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).

"Progress in relief and recovery efforts is being made every day. At the same time, the initial findings of the Periodic Review signal that more has to be done to meet all needs. There are chronic needs in food security and nutrition. We need to increase the support particularly in the western delta and some of the larger towns," says UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Bishow Parajuli.

The endorsement of the first of three such 'Periodic Reviews' coincides with the 200-day mark since the formation of the TCG. Group members and partners agree that the TCG's cooperative efforts have played a vital role in bringing key stakeholders together and facilitating the delivery of assistance to the Nargis survivors.

"The Government of Myanmar today reaffirms its commitment to build trust, confidence and cooperation with ASEAN, UN and the international community. We are all working towards a common goal; to continue to provide efficient and sufficient assistance to the people affected by Nargis," says TCG Chairman and Deputy Foreign Minister of Myanmar, U Kyaw Thu.

Today, the TCG also reviewed the final draft of the Post-Nargis Recovery and Preparedness Plan (PONREPP). This indicative plan outlines the strategic framework for the international community's recovery assistance over the coming three-year period, taking a people-centred approach focusing on restoring productive, healthy, and protected lives.

These two comprehensive documents are key to the continuation of the humanitarian relief and recovery work. The UN Revised Appeal of USD 477 million now stands at 64 per cent (USD 304 million) funded. Agriculture and Early Recovery continue to be the least-funded sectors with only 25 per cent and 39 per cent of requirements met respectively.

The TCG has recently embarked on another community-based early recovery project in Thaleikgyi village, Pyapone Township. The project aims to improve house hold food security, reduce dependency on food aid, and provide rural household with income gains through agriculture-based projects.

"Community-based projects have been successful and effective, as they serve as a platform to channel feedback directly from the affected communities to the TCG. This enables us to improve from the lessons learnt, while also promoting people-centred approach, through the ASEAN volunteers," said Thai Ambassador Bansarn Bunnag, Senior ASEAN member of the TCG.

MEDIA CONTACT DETAILS

The United Nations in Myanmar
Astrid Sehl
Communication Officer, Office of the UN Resident Coordinator
Tel: +951 542 910/919 Ext. 156
Mob: +95 (0)95074853
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ASEAN Humanitarian Office in Myanmar
Mai Phuong Tang
Communications Officer
Coordinating Office for the ASEAN Humanitarian Task Force
Tel: +951 544500 Ext. 430
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Notes: The Tripartite Core Group (TCG) was officially established on 31 May 2008. It comprises high-level representatives from ASEAN, the Government of the Union of Myanmar, and the United Nations.