Alternative humanitarian report on Cylone Nargis relief effort released

A new report- "An Alternative assessment of Humanitarian Assistance in Irrawaddy Delta: situation after 60 days" has now been released. The report was based on an informal, independent assessment and looks at the situation on the ground in the Irrawaddy Delta especially in Laputta and Ngeputaw townships. The report touches on issues such as humanitarian assistance being delivered by the UN and international agencies, the government response to the cyclone as well as ongoing restriction of the relief efforts and social groups' involvement in the relief efforts. To download the report, click here.

For further comments or questions, please email Ko Shwe at thuebee@gmail.com

ASEAN Press Conference to Release PONJA Report

The long awaited Post-Nargis Joint Assessment (PONJA) Report will be presented to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers when they meet in Singapore on 20-21 July 2008. The ASEAN Chair, Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo, will preside over the launch of the report in Singapore on 21 July 2008. The report will be released concurrently in Yangon.

Secretary-General of ASEAN and Chair of the Task Force, Dr Surin Pitsuwan said, “We anticipate a comprehensive, credible and viable report based on the objective needs of the victims of Cyclone Nargis; a report that will be useful to help guide the relief and recovery efforts in cyclone-hit Myanmar, so that the medium-term needs of the Nargis victims are sufficiently addressed.”

PONJA is a joint assessment by ASEAN, the Government of Myanmar and the United Nations, with technical support from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. The assessment relies on two approaches: a rapid household and community survey of more than 290 villages in the affected areas, and an economic assessment of the damage and losses by sector.

For information about attending the press conference and report launch, please contact the ASEAN Secretariat Media Office.

INEE Minimum Standards for Education in Emergencies

In 2004, the Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies published The Minimum Standards for Education in Emergencies (MSEE). These standards, broadly agreed to in the international humanitarian & relief community is designed for use in
emergency response and applies in a wide range of situations, including natural disasters and armed conflicts. A draft Burmese language version of the standards is available to download here.

Press Release: ASEAN Ready to Increase Cooperation with the UN for Cyclone Victims

(ASEAN Secretariat, 10 July 2008)NEW YORK – ASEAN remains ready to further cooperate with the UN and its agencies such as the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the ongoing humanitarian efforts for the victims of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar, said the ASEAN Secretary-General, Dr Surin Pitsuwan in New York today.

After talks with Mr John Holmes, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Dr Surin confirmed that Mr Holmes would be attending the release of the Post-Nargis Joint Assessment Report in Singapore on 21 July 2008.

Dr Surin said, “The UN leadership appreciates the support, cooperation and leadership that ASEAN has shown in this issue.”

He added that the UN Secretary-General is also committed to the ASEAN-UN Summit to be held in Bangkok later this year.

Press Conference on revised UN funding appeal for Myanmar

A revised relief appeal for Myanmar/ Burma was launched this morning by John Holmes, the top United Nations emergency relief official. The 'Cyclone Nargis Response Plan' seeks $481.8 million, $280 million more than the amount sought in the initial 9 May Flash Appeal. For more information about the press conference today, click here.

Updated USAID/ OFDA Fact Sheets

USAID's Office for Foreign Distaster Assistance Fact Sheet and Program Map detailing recent developments in the humanitarian effert is now available.

To download Fact Sheet #24 please click here.

To download the accompanying Program Map, click here.

Updated information can also be found on the USAID Website.

Child Protection PSA's now available

A number of public service announcements/ radio spots with a selection of Burmese language messages on child protection for cyclone affected communities are now available to download by clicking here.