Introduction to UN Assistance to Myanmar

Source: United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Date: 25 Feb 2009

Background

The United Nations (UN) has been present in Myanmar since the country gained its independence in 1948. Through a number of agencies, the UN is providing assistance, particularly to vulnerable populations, in line with humanitarian principles and global development goals. Some of the UN agencies also have a mandate to address specific rights and protection issues. The UN works in cooperation with national and international humanitarian organizations, community-based organizations, national authorities and others, supported by donors.

UN Country Team

The UN in Myanmar is present through the following agencies: FAO, ILO, UNAIDS, UNEP, UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, UN-HABITAT, UNHCR, UNODC, WFP and WHO. IOM, OCHA, UNIAP, UNOPS, MIMU and UNIC are also a part of the UN family in Myanmar. Additionally, the non-resident agencies UNESCO and UNIDO have programmes in Myanmar. The UN country-level coordination processes are managed by the UN Country Team (UNCT) that consists of heads of all resident UN agencies in Myanmar, and is led by the UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator. The UNCT has embarked on a strategic planning process to develop a longer-term, common UN vision, strategy and framework for Myanmar.

Cyclone Nargis

Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar on 2-3 May 2008, affecting some 2.4 million people living in the Ayeyarwady and Yangon Divisions. Almost 140,000 people were killed in what was the worst natural disaster in the history of Myanmar. The UN Revised Appeal, covering relief and early recovery needs up to April 2009, has been met by 65% (USD 309 million) of the USD 477 million required, according to OCHA's Financial Tracking Services (FTS). Agriculture is currently the least funded sector with only 28 per cent of the requirements covered. Also the Early Recovery sector continues to experience significant shortfall in funding.

The overall results on the ground prove that there have been many humanitarian achievements, such as no significant increase in morbidity and mortality. During the first six months; emergency shelter assistance was provided to 1.7 million people; food aid delivered to more 880,000 people; and, education support provided to over 500,000 children.

Nine months into the humanitarian response, as the immediate humanitarian needs are increasingly met and early recovery is underway, the focus now shifts towards medium-term recovery. The Post-Nargis Recovery and Preparedness Plan (PONREPP) is a response to this progression, outlining an indicative three-year recovery plan at a cost of about USD 700 million. The plan takes a people-centred community based approach of promoting productive, healthy and protected lives.

The Tripartite Core Group (TCG) that was established in late May, comprising of the Government of Myanmar, ASEAN and UN, continues to play a crucial mechanism to facilitate humanitarian response and recovery efforts. The TCG is chaired by the Chairman of the Civil Service Selection and Training Board, H.E. U Kyaw Thu and meets on a bi-weekly basis.