Report:

Cyclone Nargis Emergency & Recovery

Response
(Yangon, Myanmar)
Period – May 15-August 31,2008

MYANMAR REHABILITATION INITIATIVE (MRI)

Yangon, Myanmar
 Table of Contents

Introduction..........................................................................................................................3
PROGRAMME SUMMARY..............................................................................................4
1. CONTEXT.......................................................................................................................4
1.1 Involvement of MRI ....................................................................................................6
2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION. ...........................................................................................6
2.1 Programme Strategy: ...................................................................................................6
2.2 Programme Activities ..................................................................................................7
1. Rescue Phase..............................................................................................................7
2. Shelter – Repair and Rebuilding . ..............................................................................9
3. Back-To-School Support .........................................................................................10
4. Livelihood Support – Mid-Term and Long-Term Recovery ...................................11
2.3 Difficulties .................................................................................................................12
3. FINANCIAL REPORT .................................................................................................13
3.1 Income & Expenditure Report ...................................................................................13
3.2 Budget Explanation....................................................................................................14
3.3 Comment on Year to date Financial Performance.....................................................13
4. APPENDIX.....................................................................................................................16
4.1 Total Beneficiary Data...............................................................................................16
4.2 Map of Myanmar – MRI Areas of Work ..................................................................17

Distribution:

Funding Partners
Jesuit Refugee Service
Society of Jesus (Jesuits)

2
 Introduction

The world watched with anguish when a cyclonic storm, named NARGIS, battered the
people of Myanmar with a venomous ferocity on the May 2nd night. Millions became
refugees. Nearly 150,000 died in nature’s naked fury, stripping the people in Yangon and
Ayeryarwaddy delta of their assets. The world has felt the pain of the people of Myanmar
for too long and admired their fortitude.

But when nature chose to collude with other forces and compounded the agony, the
response of the world was swift. Prompt aid pledges and promises of direct involvement
were marred by access issues and permission for specialised person’s entry into the
country. Myanmar had not seen a disaster of this magnitude for nearly a century. Initial
response was disappointing. World attention and pressure grew amidst this gloomy
scenario.

The Chinese Earthquake followed. The prompt and poignant response of the Chinese
authorities seemed to be a trigger. Greater attention to the survivors and permission to the
limited number of international experts brought in greater solace. Conditions improved.
UN and other INGOs had ‘guided’ access to the field. Aid could reach many. A joint needs
assessment PONJA has proved to be a road map to the Aid Community.

Yet after four months, glaring gaps exist in almost every field. Shelter and livelihood are
still a major concern. Farming is hampered by erratic seed behaviour in salinated fields and
lack of scientific analysis. The retrospective effect might be felt in the future. Food price
has been slowly increasing. Shelter response remains pathetic. Land ownership is
contentious. No agency could go for a long term, disaster-resistant houses.

The school scenario is mixed. Schools started on time, most of the children are back to
school; yet many schools are in dire need of repair and educational materials are in short
supply. The trauma continues to be intense in the areas where dead bodies remained.

What surprised the locals and the international community was the silent resilience of the
people of Myanmar. For the first week of the disaster, outsiders could not enter many areas
because of the suffocating debris and dangerous toxins. It was the local people and
communities that first started helping each other. Rescue efforts were done by people to
people. Religious places, churches and Pagodas provided safety, security and initial
psycho-social support. This silent and attention-less response saved hundreds of lives.

Full scale rehabilitation is a long journey. Humanitarian work still remains a huge
challenge. In anguish and fury, cyclone NARGIS, uncovered the daily disasters of a long
suffering people. They await an integrated and concretely coordinated response from the
wider human family.

Myanmar cannot be forgotten once again.

3
 PROGRAMME SUMMARY

Objectives
1. Emergency Assistance
2. Emergency Shelter
3. Back to School
4. Livelihood Regeneration
Activities
Food, Clothing, Sleeping Materials, Medicines
Emergency Shelter, Shelter Materials, repair/rebuild
houses
Uniforms, Educational aid, School repair, water sanitation
Agriculture seeds/fertilizer, Fishing boats, nets
micro enterprises – business, Poultry, Ducklings, piglets
etc

Geographical Areas

Zones Villages and Village Tracks Covered

Bogalay Kwimbone, Nyinaung, Myapago, Kathabaung, Bohtikegyi, Tonkyine, Wataw,
Phyapone Theponkyaung, Thapaygone, Tardapaw,Tabawa,Padegaw,
Kanseik,Taputaie,Yeekyawgyi,Bogalay,Thayetchaung,Tharboung(Kha),Kan
Su,Sein Hi,Lawinekyune,Panpuu, Pyapone,Swetawgone,Dedaye,
Lasalette,Kyonepyawe,"KyuneNyoKyetaung haung,Poto,Kyialatt,Kyonethin,
Kummaline,Sinnku,Photoe,Wachanmei,Chaung Pya
Laputta Sangyigone,Shewkyuntha,Autkyune,Kanazogone,Mwe Hauk,Pathein,Myamaung
Myama, Aima
Yangon Thinga Gyn,Thanlyin ,Thongwa,Pyagone,Kyautan,Min
Glon,Thambigone,Sanchenmie,Pan Hlaing,Kyi Minthai,Sisitwa,Naung Gone

Total: 55 villages in 3 Zones.

1. CONTEXT

Cyclone Nargis Affected Areas –Yangon and Ayeyarwady Divisions

4
Cyclone Nargis was one of the monumental disasters in recent memory of Myanmar
history. Natural disaster of this magnitude occurred a century ago. The death-dealing
destructive fury of Nargis rivaled the Asian Tsunami of 2004. Weather disturbances in the
Bay of Bengal developed into a full-scale cyclone and moved menacingly toward the
northeast and made a land-fall in Myanmar. The surge provoked huge waves which
penetrated the waterways of the delta region, with speeds exceeding 150 kmh. It viciously
battered Ayeyarwady and Yangon Divisions. Nearly 2.3 million people were directly
affected, 85, 000 officially dead while 55, 000 are listed missing after three months. At
least 800,000 were displaced in camps. Most of them have returned as the months passed.

Access constraints clouded damage assessment. Independent assessments were hard to

come by. UN assessment in May 2008 varies substantially from the recent Joint PONJA
(Post Nargis Joint Assessment) by the Myanmar government, the ASEAN community and
the UN. The PONJA followed VTA (Village Tract Assessment) and DALA (Damage and
Loss Assessment Methodology). The PONJA Report indicated that the people have their
own choices for the mid-term and long-term recovery. According to them, the priorities
are:
For Rehabilitation of the Family Rehabilitation of the Community and livelihood
1. Repair and Rebuilding the houses 1. Repair and rebuilding schools
2. Micro Credit and Cash for work 2. Repair and rebuild religious places,
3. Health Care Assistance 3. Repair and rebuild Schools
4. Restocking Livestock 4. Repair and Rebuild health facilities,
5. Farm and Fishery Assistance 5. Repair foot paths
6. Transportation Assistance 6. Community Halls

Access restrictions to international aid workers hampered quick delivery of aid. The terrain
itself posed formidable challenges with its remoteness and lack of transport. Camps are
closed in almost all areas. In many villages the returnees face huge challenges. Transport,
access and logistics remain a nightmare in water logged areas, made more miserable by the
monsoon rains. Most of the waterways, the regular transport routes, are often in spate,
endangering lives. The inability of the aid community to coordinate smoothly their
activities leads to duplication often in places closer to the roads or more accessible places.

As of the end of July, the following continues to be the urgent needs.

Continuing mid-term and long-term recovery needs

1. Early recovery needs: Self-sustainable livelihood options, restoration of basic

needs, especially to the remote areas and the returning population.
2. Educational Needs: 60% of the schools were totally damaged and around 21, 000
schools are still in need of repairs.
3. Shelter needs: The delta regions never had strong housing structures. 57% of the
houses were totally destroyed, 25% partially damaged and others escaped damages.
Homelessness is a major problem.

5
 1
1.1. Involvement of MRI

Like hundreds of others our response was spontaneous, reaching out to the remote villages
and wading through dangerous rivers. Life saving emergency assistance on food, shelter
and medicines were supplied immediately. MRI members were involved in building up the
local church capacity, training volunteers, promoting appeals for international assistance
and in the ERST (Emergency Response Support Team).

The MRI is headed by an expatriate (Jesuit) with 20 years of humanitarian experience and
involvement in Tsunami work and evaluation, Kashmir earthquake evaluation and CBDP
training. He was responsible for organizing the Church response in Myanmar and worked
for a month with ERST team as adviser. MRI also has two other expatriate (Jesuits) staff.
All of 3 of them have been staying in Myanmar for some time. One of them was born in
Myanmar and that facilitates greater movement in the Delta.

MRI has recruited a committed band of field workers, who stay in three major areas and
reach out to the remote areas. There are three teams now, in Yangon, Bogalay and
Phyapone and Laputta. The teams are headed by very experienced local people with good
connections with the village structures and life. Access and security problems are minimal
for the local people. They continue to move and respond in small-scale, keeping a low
profile while reaching out to areas and peoples that are most neglected.

2. Project Description

2.1 Programme Strategy

Local staff prove to be a blessing with their knowledge of the political system. In two
places our programme is patronized by the local monks. The civil society is almost absent
in the rural areas but the monks play an influential role. The MRI team works closely with
the local church, catering also to nearby non-Christian areas.

The staff are regularly guided in the programme activities. A review and planning meeting
is held every 10 days with each staff. They are also working together with the local Caritas
network and the churches when in field. Staff have moved with the government officials
and the local leaders, who are appreciative of their work.

Local youth are regular supporters especially for logistical needs. In Phyapone, a local
Christian lawyer is guiding the work for all the non-Christian areas through the Buddhist
youths. Materials are procured locally and distributed. The local clergy and the leaders
play a major role in the assessment and distribution. Going through the monks is a peaceful
means of reaching people. The army commanders at the ground level are sympathetic.
Good relationship with the authorities is constantly nurtured.
The focus is on shelter and education needs as mid-term recovery strategy with ongoing
assessment for livelihood issues towards long-term recovery.

1
The Myanmar Rehabilitation Initiative (MRI) is not an officially registered institute/organization. This
name is used to avoid references to “Jesuits” and the like. It is the Jesuit Team that has been carrying out this
work. It comes directly under the Jesuits of Myanmar Mission Superior. The Jesuit Refugee Service Asia
Pacific Regional Office provides technical support and acts as a channel of funds for this work. The JRS AP
Regional Office Finance Officer has been providing regular finance training to some of the staff while
assisting them in financial management. All references to “Jesuits” or “JRS” should be avoided.

6
2.2 Programme Activities

Project Objectives Activities

Emergency Food and Non Food Items (Clothing, Sleeping Material,
Assistance Sanitary Materials, Medical Assistance)
Emergency Shelter a. Emergency Shelter to the Displaced
b. Shelter Material supply
c. Repair of the houses
d. Rebuilding the houses
e. Community Shelters
Back to School Uniforms, Educational Assistance – Books, Stationary, fees,
Travel, Repair of Schools, Water and Sanitation
Livelihood Recovery • Assistance to farmers – Seeds, fertilizers
• Assistance to Fishing Community – Boats, nets
• Assistance to non farming workers – micro enterprises,
poultry, animals

1. Rescue Phase

In the first phase, the school youth were pressed into service. In the month of May they
were involved in the emergency assistance braving the dangerous seas, carrying life-saving
food, shelter and medicines to hundreds of people. People were displaced in those times
and starvation and epidemic were impending disasters. The students team were involved in
reaching the remote villages, clearing debris, bringing food and water to the trapped
population.

Delivering Life Saving Food Materials

Hundreds were marooned in water logged

villages and rescue operations involved
traveling by the boats. Huge amounts of water
and food was ferried through the rivers to meet
the dire needs of people. At least for the first
ten days, the rivers were carrying dead bodies
making it impossible for bathing or drinking.
Cooked food and instant noodles were provided
to the villagers.

MRI-Students from the Campion Jesuit Institute reaching

out to marooned villages beyond Phyapone.

7
Medical assistance

The cyclone attacked the villages with

ferocity and many were thrashed against
walls and trees. Wounds, cuts and other
serious injuries had to be looked into by
a voluntary medical team. In Dedaya and
Mwe Hauk villages (Pathein), MRI
supplied huge quantities of medicine.
The volunteers treated the wounded in
the boats.

MRI medical team treating the people wounded by Cyclone

Camp Shelters for the Displaced

In the aftermath of the Cyclone nearly 600,000

people were displaced. For the first three days
most of them were living along the public roads
with thatches and broken zinc sheets. In two
places MRI assisted with Tarpaulins for 600
people for temporary shelters on the way to
Bogalay in the Delta region. This has helped the
people to survive and seek some psycho-social
assistance before major NGOs and the other
assistance could reach them.

Clearing Debris for the returnees

The storm caused extensive damage. Many places

looked similar to the aftermath of Tsunami. Toxic
materials churned out from underwater and huge
destruction created nauseating debris, making life
miserable for the survivors. Risking their own
lives, volunteers and students from Campion
institute stayed in these villages and cleared
debris, buried decaying corpse and cleared the
water sources. This assistance facilitated the return
of the people to their villages. About 10 villages
were cleared of the debris by the youth team. For
the few villagers who were trapped inside these villages, this work was a boon and helped
saved them from snake attacks, etc.

8
Emergency Assistance – Non Food Items

The following materials were distributed in

Yangon Delta and the Ayeryarwaddy and the
divisions.

1. Emergency shelter materials

2. Emergency Clothing – Longyi, children
and women’s clothes.
3. Kitchen Utensils
4. Sleeping materials – mosquito nets,
blankets, mats
5. Hygiene kit – water purifier, soap and
sanitary materials
6. Repair of community toilets etc.

Support to Refugee Camps

Thousands had to be evacuated and placed in refugee camps. The Pathein Diocese ran 4
major refugee camps for two months. MRI supplied the following materials:

1. Clothing for 1000 men and women

2. Kitchen set up for cooking for the whole camps--4 Kitchens
3. Water Storage Tanks in 3 camps.

Total Number of Beneficiary--Emergency Assistance

Bogalay Yangon Laputta Ongoing Total

Clothing 1635 4125 5,760
Kitchen Utensils 319 (Camp 4-3000 people) 319
Sleeping Materials 639 170 809
Hygiene Kits 1823 1037 2,860
Medical Assistance 5300 1000 168 6,468
Food 6928 25 9095 16,048

2. Shelter–Repair and Rebuilding.

Both the PONJA and the people identified housing as the prime need. It also pointed out
that 800,000 houses were damaged with 450,000 of them totally damaged and 350,000
partially damaged. The delta region had more than 60% houses build with thatches and
bamboos with raised platform to escape the water logging.

MRI undertook to repair and rebuild houses in many remote areas. In two villages, a full
reconstruction will be done – In Taw Bay near Dadeya and Swadgon in Phyapone.
Buddhist monks will be the local partners in the programme.

Repair: Apart from supplying tarpaulins to the displaced people during the first week,
MRI was involved in the first month in repairing the houses of most vulnerable in
Thingagyn and Kyataun in Yangon division. Most of the houses were of the landless poor
who were occupying ‘government’ land and were made refugees by the cyclone. MRI
together with young Jesuit candidates from Yangon managed to repair nearly 75 houses in
the first week.

9
Supply of Building materials: In most places the people were willing to repair their
houses. MRI supplied roofing materials (zinc sheets, thatches), side covers and bamboos.
Most of the houses could be repaired with US$200. MRI has supplied materials in
Thingagyn, Kyataun and Swecheitha in Labutta area.

Rebuilding: In places where

the houses were totally
destroyed, MRI is rebuilding
the houses. In two villages,
Taw Bay near Dedaya and
Swadagon in Phyapone nearly
120 houses are under
construction. These areas were
totally destroyed by the storm
and many were killed. The
local monks continue to be the
implementing partners in these
projects.

Total Number of Beneficiaries – Shelter Programme

Bogalay Yangon Laputta Ongoing Total

Temporary Shelter materials 3085 190 1728 31 5,034
Labour for construction 29 73 102
Transport etc 39 109 148
Repairing houses 48 201 58 307
Community Shelters 4 4

3. Back-to-School Support

The mutilating pain of the whole tragedy was the death of thousands of children. Those
who survived had no space to place and study. The government ordered the opening of the
schools in every place when the educational infrastructure was in the ruins. As per PONJA
damage assessment:

Public Education
Totally or partially damaged schools 39,214
Roof damaged schools 10,859
Furniture, equipment and learning materials 13,766

Monastic Education
Partially damaged schools 30,311
Furniture and learning materials 23,345

10
 MRI continues to pay special attention to back-
to-school programme. Many children are yet to
return to school. Lack of uniforms, books and
other school materials has led parents not to
send children to school. MRI volunteers go in
search of homes in order to assess and assist
children back to school. Help is also given to
monastery schools.

MRI supplied school uniforms and books to

nearly 5,000 children and continues with another 2,000 children this month. In Laputta
area children were majority victims. In one school where 18 children survived, MRI has
supplied all the educational needs and will rebuild the school. In six places it has started
repairing the schools. An estimate 10, 000 children will benefit by MRI.

Total Number of Beneficiaries – Back-to-School Programme

Bogalay Yangon Laputta Ongoing Total

Uniforms 1988 758 1301 907 4,954
Books 1888 432 836 805 3,961
Stationary 1134 391 936 2,461
School Fee 65 65
Slipper, Bag ,Rain Coat,etc 588 82 134 804
Travel to School -
Water/sanitation – students 1764 2 1,766

3. Livelihood Support – Mid-Term and Long-Term Recovery

For MRI, the livelihood phase started recently. Agriculture will be a major area of our
future involvement. Fortunately, two major gloomy predictions did not come true, i.e. the
expectation of an epidemic and large scale hunger. The former was mostly due to the
survival skills of the people and also the immunity they seemed to have developed while
the latter was prevented due to local and international food assistance.

There are concerns for the coming months. Sustainable agriculture for the next one year is
at risk. 70% of the fishermen have lost their boats, nets, etc. Nearly 60% of the people are
landless labourers depending on these farms.

Livelihood: Farmers and Farm Labourers—The Delta used to be rice bowl of Myanmar
with nearly 85% of families depend on agriculture. All parties could not meet the June-July
planting season. MRI supported 37 farmers in La Salette and 220 farmers in Laputta area.
Germination has been only partially successful, owing to erratic land behaviour and also
lack of quality control of seeds in the country. MRI has started supplying fishing gear–
boats and nets—to the fishermen in Bogalay, Laputta and Dadeya. In Taw Bay village,
where the village reconstruction is attempted, MRI is planning to provide 58 boats to the
villages. In Laputta, the use of the boats has already started giving regular income. MRI is
further planning to give another 120 boats to fishermen in Bogalay and in Laputta area.

11
 B
Boats given to fishermen in Laputta and in Bogalay

MRI has been requested for fertilizers and seeds for the next season. For the next season
planting will see more agriculture input by MRI. Selection of beneficiaries for micro-
enterprise is ongoing. The volunteers are in the process of identifying the livelihood needs
and beneficiaries.

Total Number of Beneficiaries – Livelihood Programme

Bogalay Yangon Laputta Ongoing Total

Seeds 95 66 231 68 460
Farm Animals 55 9 64
Fishing Net & Boat 105 16 121
Artisan Tools 2 2 4
Mirco Enterprises 39 8 47
Transport Charges -

2.3 Difficulties

Access Constraints: This fact is well known to most people inside Myanmar and to many
outside. Only registered INGOs are allowed monitored access. The limited number of
INGO personnel allowed is extremely small to meet the huge challenge. Increasing check
points continue to be harassment. However, the local staff of MRI could travel everywhere.

Local Capacity: The local staff do not have much experience in disaster response. Since
we have rightly made a choice to engage them, every initiative requires training in order
for them to respond to the needs of the affected people. The JRS AP Regional Office
Finance Officer has been providing regular finance training to some of the staff while
assisting them in proper financial management.

Networking: Since the government does not allow NGOs coordination, etc., the INGOs
have been trying to follow the cluster approach. Some of the major INGOs tend to spend
heavily and duplicate distribution. High profile or large scale response sometimes proves
counter-productive.

12
Logistics: It is difficult to reach people in many remote areas. It involves traversing erratic
water ways, whose conditions are exacerbated by monsoon rains. Sometimes, trips are a
risk to life. It remains a great challenge to transport goods, etc. Most of the INGOs
circumvent this through heavy spending on logistics.

Communication: Once the field staff are in remote places, there can be no communication
as telephone contact is not possible. (Mobile phones are very expensive to possess). This
makes it difficult to guide the staff when out in the field.

Monitoring: Since the villages are constantly under the surveillance of the military and
government agents, it becomes difficult for an independent team to monitor the results.

3. Financial Report
3.1 Income & Expenditure Report

INCOME USD
Funding Agencies 450, 361.06

Manos Unidas Euro 10,000 14,687.50

Trocaire Euro 20,000 29,375.00
Entreculturas Euro 87,000 127,781.25
Misereor Euro 80,000 117,500.00
Caritas Singapore (SGD 210,000) 161,017.31

Jesuits/Jesuit missions 166, 408.80

Korean Province 20,000.00
Switzerland Province 25,000.00
Philippines Province 10,000.00
Loyola Province (Spain) 73,437.50
Canadian Jesuits International 22,459.30
JRS Singapore 9,998.00
Japan Province 5,514.00

Private Donation 106, 186.00

Gain in exchange rate 13, 018.30
Total Income 735, 974.16
Total Expenses *** 134, 875.03
Net Income 601, 099.13
Beginning Balance -
Ending Balance 31 August 2008 601, 099.13

13
*** EXPENSES (4 months period May - Aug 2008)

Direct Indirect
Direct
Cat. Operation Overhead Total MYN USD Euro
Objective Name Objective
Code Support Organization Kyat equivalent equivalent
Costs
Costs Costs
AID Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation 58,613,906 7,029,562 656,435 66,299,903 59,730 38,824
AID Back to School Support 26,360,625 3,161,428 295,221 29,817,274 26,862 17,461
AID Continuing Emergency Assistance 25,195,846 3,021,736 282,176 28,499,758 25,675 16,689
AID Livelihood Regeneration 22,185,216 2,660,672 248,459 25,094,346 22,608 14,695
Contingency 5% - - -
Total 132,355,593 15,873,398 1,482,290 149,711,281 134,875 87,669

Exchange rate 1 USD = 1,110 My Kyat; 1 USD = 0.65 Euro,

3.2 Budget explanation My-Kyat My-Kyat My-Kyat USD Actual

Actual Exp. Budget % USED
Direct Objective Costs 132,355,593 836,000,000 15.83% 119,239
Emergency Relief & Rehabilitation(Repair of Thatch Houses) 58,613,906 190,000,000 30.85% 52,805
Housing Material 50,879,206
Labour for housing 2,937,350
Logistic for (Emerg.Relief & Rehabilitation) 4,797,350

Back to School Support 26,360,625 130,000,000 20.28% 23,748

Support to Students 24,676,197
Evening Study Shelter 501,008
Repairing Schools -
Water&Sanitation-School -
Logistic Back to school 1,183,420

Continuing Emergency Assistance 25,195,846 316,000,000 7.97% 22,699

Emerg.Assist 17,819,505 -
Health/Medical assist. 3,358,100 -
Logistic C.Emerg Ass. 4,018,241 -

Livelihood Regeneration 22,185,216 200,000,000 11.09% 19,987

Agriculture Improvement 8,611,000
Farming Animals 2,712,500
Fishing Gear 6,044,346
Artisan Tools 171,800
Micro Enterprise 3,715,270
Logistic Livelihood 930,300

Direct Operation Support Costs 15,873,398 51,881,000 30.60% 14,300

Salaries 4,240,000
Travel 790,781
Communication 79,362
Vechicle hire&exp 2,385,375
Rent & Utilities 3,600,000
Maintenance 43,540
Office Supplies 765,569
CAPEX(Capital Exp.) 3,204,652
Other Expenses 764,120

Indirect Overhead Organization Costs 1% 1,482,290 8,878,810 16.69% 1,335

TOTAL EXPENSES 149,711,281 896,759,810 16.69% 134,875

14
3.3 Comment on year to date Financial Performance
The Income was from 3 main stake-holders, namely the funding agencies, Jesuit Provinces,
and Private-Individual people. Since the MRI (Jesuits in Myanmar) may be in the process
of working out a year long involvement, it is hoped that the funds are not ‘time-bound.’ It
seems unwise to be pressured to show a high ‘emergency delivery capacity’ by spending
heavily in order to meet the ‘time-line’ of the funds available. MRI is looking forward to a
longer-term response.

Moreover, due the adopted strategy, i.e. to maintain low profile and small-scale while
reaching to those most in need by engaging local staff, the response has been measured so
as to not jeopardize the task of reaching out to people in the remote areas as possible
while keeping in mind possibilities for a longer term task. Therefore, the present pace is
appropriate and secure given the restrictive situation in Myanmar which poses enormous
challenges. It is hoped that through careful planning and perseverance of the team, with
better access to areas and peoples, a more robust performance is possible.

Overall the expenditure has been much less (USD 134, 875 or 16.69%) than the budget
(USD 807, 892). This is due to several reasons. Firstly, as mentioned above, access
restriction to many places outside Yangon was heavy, even for UN agencies and INGOs
that had a MoU with the government. Surveillance was tight and movements were
monitored. It was more difficult for “non-registered” NGOs especially in the first month.
Gradually this has changed or more relaxed and it is easier for the locals to move around to
reach the people especially in remote areas. Secondly, in the first months there was heavy
overlapping or duplication of work by INGOs. As in many disaster situations, initial
coordination has been challenging coupled with the restrictive situation in Myanmar. There
seems to be a better clarity now on various locations and programmes in coordination with
the local church, Caritas and INGOs. Initially, the MRI staff were involved in the national
Caritas response till mid-June. After which MRI played a more direct role in the response.
MRI chose to respond to remote and the most vulnerable areas. Thirdly, since MRI made a
choice to rightly engage local staff who could reach places more easily, time was taken to
provide regular training and monitoring the progress of the work. This slowed down the
response. The recruitment process was time-consuming too. Now with a team of 16 people
MRI has already increased its delivery capacity in Laputta area. There are teams in place
and agreement reached with the local diocese on the areas to respond.

On the specific objectives, apart from what has been spent, for the Shelter most of the
housing projects are ongoing in Laputta, Bogalay and Yangon area. Another 150 houses
are under construction and MRI hopes to reach this target in the next two months.
Assistance is also being given to community shelters. For Back to School, more schools
including monastic schools are being provided with building materials and others (i.e.
books, uniforms, etc.) in order for children and the schools to become reasonably
functional. More and more children are returning to school. This activity will intensify the
coming months especially in Laputta. As for Continuing Emergency Assistance, it is
ongoing especially in some remote areas. In many places the distribution of food is stopped
while kitchen utensils/needs, sleeping materials and shelter for the returnees continues.
Finally, for Livelihood Regeneration, MRI could not come in during the first planting
season while farming was not the target at that time. Boats and nets to returning fishermen
in Bogalay and other areas have been provided and livelihood assistance for people in

15
Laputta is the focus in coming weeks and months. The second seeding season is arriving in
October and November. MRI should be able to meet the needs for this. Data collection for
the limited micro-enterprises is ongoing and some response is possible these coming
months.

4. Appendix
4.1 Total Beneficiary Data

MRI - NARGIS CYCLONE - REHABILITATION ASSISTANCE DATA

MAY TO AUGUST 31

PROJECT Assistance Bogalay Yangon Laputta Ongoing Total

1. Emergency Clothing 1635 4125 5,760

Assistance
Kitchen Utensils 319 319
Sleeping Materials 639 170 809
Hygiene Kits 1823 1037 2,860
Medical Assistance 5300 1000 168 6,468
Food 6928 25 9095 16,048
2. Back to Uniform 1988 758 1301 907 4,954
School
Books 1888 432 836 805 3,961
Stationary 1134 391 936 2,461
School Fee 65 65
Slipper, Bag ,Rain 588 82 134 804
Coat,etc
Travel to School -
Water/sanitation - 1764 2 1,766
students (flags)
3. Emergency Temporary Shelter 3085 190 1728 31 5,034
Shelter materials
Labour for 29 73 102
construction
Transport etc 39 109 148
Repairing houses 48 201 58 307
School repair 1 1
4. Livelihood Seeds 95 66 231 68 460
Regeneration
Farm Animals 55 9 64
Fishing Net & Boat 105 16 121
Artisan Tools 2 2 4
Mirco Enterprises 39 8 47

16
4.2 Map of Myanmar – MRI Areas of Work

MRI Geographical Reach

17