Sector Status

Logistics

WFP is the lead of the logistics cluster and is supported by the UNJLC.

Coordinated In-Country Response: (For detailed Situation Reports for each cluster please check the HIC website: http://myanmar.humanitarianinfo.org/ )

Yangon Airport remains the primary hub. The template for all procedures is available at http://www.logcluster.org/mm08a.

On May 28, the Government of Myanmar approved all remaining visa requests (45) for various UN agencies. UN Secretary-General Ban met with Sen. Gen. Than Shwe on May 23 and the junta leader agreed to allow “all” aid workers into Myanmar.

UN says there is a strong need for strategic coordination at the township level. The Office of the Humanitarian Coordinator is looking to place staff in the field. Clusters are in the process of identifying focal points in the five hubs. Basic information sharing is taking place in Labutta. However, strategic coordination is lacking. (OCHA, May 30)

Flights continued out of the DMK staging area in Bangkok for Yangon. Cargo is continuing to arrive to the DMK staging area in Bangkok. (OCHA, May 30) Air-bridge flights from Bangkok’s Don Muang (former international) Airport to Yangon are now underway daily as the main staging area for foreign relief to Myanmar. The operations hub is managed by WFP. The Cluster has secured the use of the hub for 3 months. The UN has chartered three planes to carry the aid into Myanmar. Currently, one Ilyushin 76 and two Antonov 12s will serve the air bridge. (WFP, May 27)

IOM has taken delivery of cargo of 8,500 hygiene kits donated by USAID. (IOM, May 30)

The French navy ship, the Mistral, carrying 1,000 tons of aid for Myanmar handed over its cargo Thursday to the UN in Thailand after the junta refused to let it into the country. The ship was equipped with three helicopters and carried enough food to sustain 100,000 people for two weeks and provide shelter to 60,000 homeless. (AFP, May 29). Officials say that relief supplies on board US and UK ships can be received into port of Yangon only if transported by small local boats. (DFID, May 27)

The Logistics Cluster in Myanmar is offering five types of services to the UN and NGOs: 1) Air cargo facilitation, 2) Temporary storage facilities, 3) Common transport service, 4) Logistics hubs and 5) Logistics information management. (UNJLC, May 26)

ASEAN has agreed to lead the international assistance effort. ASEAN has established a mechanism to coordinate assistance into Myanmar. A Core Group chaired by the government and also comprised of the UN and ASEAN, will deal with operational issues regarding international assistance. An ASEAN Emergency Rapid Assessment Team (ERAT) in collaboration with the UN, has been working on assessments. (WHO, May 26) The leads of the Tripartite Core Group have been identified as follows: for the GoM the Deputy Foreign Minister, from ASEAN the Thai Ambassador to Myanmar, and from the UN the Humanitarian Coordinator. (OCHA, May 28)

Based on available assessments, 2.4 million people are estimated to have been affected in the 40 most-affected townships (including urban Yangon townships). Of the 2.4 million people affected, an estimated 1,017,000 (42%) people have been reached with some kind of relief support to date, through the combined efforts of MRCS (96,000), UN and INGOs (793,000), and local NGOs and civil society groups (128,000). However, the majority of this assistance has been delivered to people living in Yangon Division. Of the estimated 2 million people in the 15 worst-affected townships, it is estimated that only 470,000 (23%) have been reached. (OCHA, May 24)

The logistics cluster is now operating a 4,000 square meter warehouse in Yangon (managed by DHL), along with a fleet of 30 trucks, four barges (200-800 MT) with four barge pushers (total capacity = 2,150 tons), and two boats (300 and 600 MT). One jetty has been identified in Yangon.

UN using four barges to distribute goods from Yangon to the delta. Transit time is between 3 and 6 days. Each can carry some 700 tons. (DFID, May 26) Cluster says barge operation proceeding well, with 983 tons moved on May 25. (LC, May 27)

A boat loaded NFIs for MERLIN and a medical NGO to be delivered to Pyapon, Bogalay. Another boat for Setsan is also loading NFIs for a medical NGO and is scheduled to depart May 30. (UNJLC, May 30)

The cluster and WFP require additional boats. 5 boats of 30-40 MT, 10 boats of 15-20MT and 5 boats of 2-3MT are required. The Logistics Cluster is currently working to address this. The cost of fuel is a challenge. There are still areas that have not been reached. The current planned caseload does not cover the full needs. Therefore the Cluster will revise their caseload and requirements following a more in-depth assessment. (OCHA, May 30)

Cluster says port in Yangon is operational but there is no container offloading equipment, although there is container handling equipment (container and forklifts) on ground. (LC, May 27)

Logistics hubs storage updates:

Mawlanyaingyun:location identified. 2,500 tons available in MAPT w/h.

Labutta 7 Mobile Storage Units (MSUs) (1 dedicated to UNICEF and 4 to WFP). All heavy cargo moving by barge. 1,840 sqm (140sqm for UNICEF, 1,120 for WFP, 480 available)

Pathein: 4 units of 400 MT each

Pyapon: 2 MSUs up, 150 pallets received. Easily accessible by truck. (480 sqm)

Bogalay: 2 MSUs up (1 for UNICEF use). 480 sqm (240 sqm dedicated to UNICEF) 720 sqm under construction. (UNJLC, May 28)

Myanmar has allowed 10 WFP helicopters to deliver emergency supplies, capable of carrying 3 MT of relief into the delta. Canada will deliver up to five helicopters to Myanmar via Bangkok. One helicopter in Yangon is now cleared for use. (WFP, May 27) The Royal Australian Air Force has delivered two helicopters to the UN in Thailand to be used by the WFP. (ABC, May 28)

The fleet of trucks is set up at the inter agency warehouse set up by the cluster. The fleet consists of: 5 trucks of ten feet capacity, 10 trucks of 14 feet capacity, 10 trucks of 22 feet capacity and 5 trucks of 32 feet capacity. (UNJLC, May 26)

Heavy rains are continuing and the conditions for road transportation remain poor in delta areas. UN cautions that roads affected by the cyclone will deteriorate as monsoon rains increase. The NGO Concern says 70 percent of the roads are now accessible again. (Concern, May 27)

The 22-mile long road from Pyapon to Bogalay is narrow and in poor condition. Trucks carrying relief cargos were recommended not to travel at night. Main road from Yangon to Pathein is in good condition. The Kyayklat – Bogalay and the Myaungmya – Labutta roads are in poor condition. Bridges on the road to Labutta are reported to be in bad condition and only passable for maximum 12 ton trucks. (LC, May 26) Road conditions are difficult, the 22 miles from Pyapon took 1.5 hours. Max weight on bridges is 7 tons. Barge operation considered better option for this stretch. (LC, May 27)

World Vision reported the following traveling times:

Yangon – Kyaiklat: 3 hours by road

Yangon – Bogalay: 4.5 hours by road

Yangon – Pyapon: 3.5 hours by road

Pyapon –Mawlamyinegyun: 1.5 hours from Pyapon by river by boat

Food

WFP’s Emergency Operation for Myanmar with a budget of US$69.5 million aims to deliver a complete food basket to a total of 750,000 people in need of immediate food assistance. So far, WFP's operation has received US$21.3 million in confirmed contributions, including over US$5 million from the UN’s CERF. (OCHA, May 28)

The Cluster estimates that monthly food requirement is approximately 8,933 tons. The Cluster estimates now that it has reached approximately 483,000 beneficiaries with varying rations (aim to reach 750,000 people). WFP plans to cover 11 townships in Irrawaddy and 8 townships in Yangon for its emergency response. (OCHA, May 28)

WFP has now dispatched enough food to the affected areas to feed 575,000 people with a two-week ration of rice. WFP estimates that nearly 485,000 people have received a first ration of food since the cyclone struck. High-energy biscuits for over 107,000 children and ready-to-eat meals for about 2,500 people have also been dispatched. (WFP, May 30)

In some places a full food basket of rice, beans, and oil has been provided. (OCHA, May 30)

Two large barges were loaded with food and relief supplies in Yangon on May 29, bound for the worst affected parts of the delta. (WFP, May 30)

A total of 36 visas have been approved for WFP international staff since the cyclone struck and there are currently 21 staff members in-country. WFP has established two sub-offices in the Irrawaddy delta region - in Labutta and Bogale -and has relocated national staff members from the north to the affected areas in the south to step up its response capacity. WFP has 37 staff deployed in areas outside Yangon. (WFP, May 30)

The Country Director of the WFP returned from Labutta and expressed concern over gaps in the system’s ability to cover the delta and address the needs of those affected. (OCHA, May 30)

The cluster has currently joined efforts with other clusters in the development of the Rapid Village Tract Assessment. In addition a more in depth assessment of the food situation is planned following the first distribution. (OCHA, May 30)

Importation of rice is still under negotiation with the Government. If the import permission is obtained, WFP plans to import about 15,000 tons of rice. WFP submitted a request for import permission for 318 tons of salt from Thailand to Ministry of Commerce MoC. Import permit for 2,186 tons of vegetable oil was received from MoC. Import of oil has not been a problem as Myanmar has not produced sufficient oil to meet the domestic demand The Myanmar Agriculture Produce Trade (MAPT) continued delivery of the 10,000 ton consignment of rice to WFP warehouses in the delta, as follows: Labutta: 812 tons Bogalay: 675 tons Pyapon: 386 tons Pathein: 607 tons. (OCHA, May 28)

To feed the 750,000 people for 3 months, as planned in the Flash Appeal, will require 55,000 MT of rice of which only 50 percent may be procured in country. (OCHA, May 21)

WFP emergency food assistance rations will be composed of:

Rice 400g per day per person

Pulses 100g per day per person

Vegetable oil 30g per day per person

Iodized salt 5g per day per person

The monthly relief food basket for a family of five includes 60 kg of rice, 15 kg of pulses, 4.5 kg of oil and 0.75 kg of iodized salt. High-energy biscuits are to be provided for children under five years of age. (OCHA, May 20)

The daily ration will meet a minimum daily requirement of 2,100 kilocalories, composed of rice, pulses, vegetable oil, and salt. Ready-to-eat food (e.g. high energy biscuits, rice-lentil mix and supplementary foods for young children).

Shelter

UNHCR is the designated lead for the shelter cluster. UNHCR will support the IFRC, which has been designated as the in-country lead for the cluster. IOM is chairing a temporary shelter working group. (IOM, May 24)

Out of the US$187 million Flash Appeal, UNHCR is asking for some US$6 million to help some 250,000 people with temporary shelter materials.

IFRC said May 26 that at least 1.5 million people remained homeless in the delta. (AP, May 26)

More than 170,000 people are in 310 informal shelters and government-run settlements in the 15 priority townships. (WHO, May 28)

Of the 2.4 million affected by Cyclone Nargis, it is estimated that 1.4 million are located in the most severely affected townships of the delta region. However, Yangon was also badly hit with some 680,000 living in severely affected areas. (OCHA, May 21) In the delta, 150,000 people are living in 120 temporary settlements. (DFID, May 22)

UNHCR setting up two field units in Labutta and Bogalay to better respond, monitor distribution and further assess needs. UNHCR says by mid-week, it had flown in some 405 MT of supplies from Dubai on nine flights. In total, UNHCR has delivered nearly 433 MT of supplies for more than half of the 250,000 affected that the agency said it would provide shelter for in the Flash Appeal. (UNHCR, May 30)

The cluster continues to target 40% of the affected population over the next four to six weeks, which will involve cluster partners delivering at maximum capacity. (OCHA, May 26)

The cluster is now working on developing a proposal for an in-depth shelter assessment. Due to previous confusion on names of the shelter kits, these have now been renamed as follows: The Family kit is now known as the Relief kit. The Shelter kit as the Tarp Kit and the Hamlet kit as the Community tool kit. The outline of the Strategic Framework of the shelter cluster specifies the following:

To assist affected households in a way that will give maximum coverage of affected families and communities within a limited time span;

To assist those affected households with Community tool kits in a way that will complement and benefit the family, the community as a first phase. The other two kits to address other needs and complement the Community toolkit;

To transition from the relief phase to the recovery phase with long term goals for the households in mind; (OCHA, May 28)

Shelter cluster has standardized three types of kits among partners. The first kit is primarily a tool kit. This will contain tools needed for fixing or rebuilding a shelter. This kit is to be distributed to a group of 10 or more households, to be shared among the households. The second kit is a basic building material kit and will consist of tarpaulin, rope etc. This is to be distributed one per household. The third kit will be a Non-Food Items (NFI) kit. (OCHA, May 17)

Some residents say they were forced out of schools where they had sought shelter so that class rooms could be used as polling stations for the referendum vote. There have been other scattered reports of forcible displacement by security troops and local officials. Reports of forcible displacements continue from government displaced camps. (Reuters, May 29)

An independent source estimates that 110,000 persons are living in temporary settlements in 14 townships. Of these, 70% are sheltering in monasteries, 28% in public buildings and 2% in tented official government camps. The highest numbers of homeless people in temporary settlements are in Labutta (34,000), Bogalay (15,500), Myaungmya (12,000) and Pyapon (9,700) townships in Irrawaddy, and Kungyangon township (20,000) in Yangon Division. (OCHA, May 22)

There are an estimated 239 temporary formal and informal settlements in the worst affected areas of Yangon and the delta region. It is important to note that the majority of temporary settlements are in Buddhist monasteries, while the minority are in tented camps. Official tented camps are in Labutta, Bogalay, Pathein, Maubin, and Myaungmya. The remainder of settlements are in other public buildings, including schools. In the Irrawaddy delta, it is estimated that 91,000 people are sheltered in settlements in their townships of origin, while 25,000 have been displaced to settlements in other townships. In such cases, movements are from Labutta to Myaungmya and Pathein, from Bogalay and Pyapon to Maubin, and from Ngaputaw to Pathein. (OCHA, May 21)

In Labutta, the authorities announced that there are now 12 tented relief settlements, which plan to operate for 6 months, and that all other temporary shelters in Labutta town would be closed down by 9 June. (OCHA, May 21) According to state media, shelters in Labutta have adequate health services and clean water. (WHO, May 29)

Health

The World Health Organization (WHO) leads the health cluster, which comprises 22 international NGOS and other UN agencies. The Health Cluster has nominated Merlin as cluster co-lead. Sixteen WHO surveillance officers have been deployed to Irrawaddy and Yangon, including 11 international staff. Cluster projects submitted to the CERF amount to US$4 million. (OCHA, May 15) In the upcoming revision of the flash appeal, preliminary estimates are that the cluster will need US$28 million. (WFP, May 28)

Cluster sub-groups have been formed on HIV/AIDS, Early Recovery and psychosocial support. (WHO, May 28)

The UN is stepping up efforts to combat malaria, cholera and other diseases. Stagnant water has created ideal breeding conditions for malaria and dengue, said WHO assistant director-general Eric Laroche. It is also the monsoon season, a time when malaria, dengue fever and cholera outbreaks tend to occur. The government was treating any cases of acute diarrhea as potential cholera, he said. NGOs have reported outbreaks of cholera, but none has been verified and the government has not confirmed any. WHO is leading a partnership with official, private and NGOs in Myanmar to tackle the crisis. It has approved a US$28 million action plan over six months for the program, including $10 million directly for WHO operations. (WHO, May 30)

The cluster is planning with MOH to strengthen Rapid Response Team capacities at Township level. The WHO Country Office is being strengthened with five more experts who are expected to join the team within the next few days. WHO presented the Early Warning Disease Surveillance System. The system will have two tracks: The informal system will collect information on possible outbreaks through daily telephone contact with every concerned agency; The formal system will involve reporting forms and agreed case definitions and a system of weekly reporting (Sunday to Saturday); Agencies are to provide reports to WHO by Sunday. The bulletin will be available by Tuesday. The system is flexible and can add sites or agencies, including MoH, as needed. The first reporting period is Sunday (June 1) to Saturday (June 7) with the first bulletin slated for Tuesday (June 10). Laboratory support for specimen collecting will be established in each township, with Yangon Central Reference Laboratory providing support. (OCHA, May 30)

WHO introduced a two-track system for early warning. The system relies firstly on a telephone contact point for each agency, to be contacted daily by WHO. This will be fed into the daily Situation Report. Secondly, a reporting form and case definitions were agreed and circulated to all agencies. A technical group will develop a framework for reporting. The system will include weekly reporting on Sundays with a surveillance bulletin available by Tuesday. Laboratory support for specimen collection will be established in each township, with Yangon Central Reference Laboratory providing support. (OCHA, May 27)

IOM mobile medical teams continue to work from Bogalay. One team focuses on displaced people hosted in temples and other temporary urban shelters. The other three teams reach out to communities in the south of Bogalay and in Mawlamyinegyun, often by boat. IOM have been visiting 220 temporary shelters with a population of 1,100 people in three different locations in Mawlamyinegyun. (OCHA, May 30)

WHO and concerned agencies are re-establishing TB surveillance. UNDP ICDP (Integrated community Development Project) has a MOU with the MOH for the renovation/rebuilding of Community health facilities, including Rural Health Centers (for midwives and Health Assistants) and sub health centers in 5 affected townships. The total number of villages is 4,000 and UNDP is targeting 1,700 under this project. (OCHA, May 30)

Revitalization of health facilities at township level and strengthening disease surveillance will be included in the revised Flash Appeal. WHO has developed a comprehensive logistics tracking database and has requested all partners to feed into it. (OCHA, May 30)

MoH has instructed townships to immunize children aged 9 months to 5 years for measles in the IDP settlements and also immunize children 5 years to 10 years who are unvaccinated previously. WHO and UNICEF are working with MoH to strengthen out-reach services with a package of interventions including routine vaccination, vitamin A supplementation, deworming, bet net distribution and others. (OCHA, May 30)

In Bogalay local coordinated efforts for the Health Cluster are successfully being developed with UNICEF, IOM, WFP, UNHCR, ACF, MSF and a local NGO. As a result, a Joint Emergency Response Mobile Operation has been established. (OCHA, May 28)

Pun Hlaing International Hospital is providing disaster relief and rebuilding in the delta areas of Ngaputaw and Hain-Gyi, in particular areas where little assistance has been offered and where damage has been extensive with no medical relief. A Medical Relief Team (8 doctors, 4 nurses, 1 pharmacist & 4 Gen Volunteers) left on May 21 to set up a mini hospital and mobile medical units at Thyin-Ka-Gon. This team was reinforced by a second team on May 24. The logistics are reported to be difficult since some areas are accessible only by boat. (OCHA, May 28)

WHO will provide MOH with drugs, insecticides, fogging machines, rapid diagnostic tests, and bednets for Malaria and Dengue prevention to a total of around US$ 1million.

Medical teams from more than 70 countries are expected to arrive in next 3-6 months. (WHO, May 28) Five international medical teams are providing medical care and support to national health-care staff in the affected areas of Irrawaddy and Yangon Divisions. The Thai team is in Myaungmya, the Indian team in Bogalay and Pyapon, the Chinese team in Kungyangon and Dedaye, the Bangladeshi team in Wakema and the Lao team in Kyauktan. There are now 198 health-care workers from Bangladesh, China, India, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Indonesia, Japan, Belgium will send teams in the next few days. (WHO, May 26). A 30-strong Philippines team is expected to be deployed to Pathein. (OCHA, May 24) A group of 30 Thai medical staff also traveled into the country on Thursday, replacing a previous group which finished a two-week mission. (AFP, May 29)

The Chinese medical team donated four vehicles, medical equipment and medicines, as it ends its two-week mission. The 50-member team arrived May 18. (Xinhua, May 30)

As International medical teams continue to arrive, WHO is exploring the possibility of establishing induction training for them in collaboration with the MoH and partner agencies. WHO, IFRC and MRCS are conducting one day refresher training of Red Cross volunteers. WHO will focus on training for malaria and dengue prevention and control. (OCHA, May 30)

More than 2000 medical experts from the government and NGOs, plus 39,000 Red Cross and private health workers have been deployed. (WHO, May 24).

Mental health remains a concern. Based on WHO’s experience with disasters, 30-50 percent of the affected could suffer psychological distress. NGOs are collaborating on psychosocial issues and mental health. (OCHA, May 27)

The MoH is focusing on cross-sectoral prevention measures, such as ensuring clean water, food and shelter, to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks. Health care services are being provided by MOH staff at hospitals, in 12 relief settlements, and through mobile teams. Three medical boats with 34 doctors are now providing health services in the delta area, and 390 mobile teams are in the field to improve access to and coverage of health care. (WHO, May 20)

The national professional membership organizations the Myanmar Medical Association, Myanmar Nurse and Midwife Association and Myanmar Health Assistant Association are auxiliaries to the national response. (OCHA, May 21)

Myanmar health authorities are providing daily reports on disease cases from the affected townships, being provided by Divisional Health Directors to the MOH Central Epidemiological Unit (CEU). MOH has a team of high level officials working out of Yangon General Hospital responsible for planning, managing and coordinating the overall response in health. (OCHA, May 20)

At least 50 percent of health structures are damaged or destroyed and restricted access continues to hamper efforts. (OCHA, May 20)

There is an urgent need to provide safe delivery space within settlements for pregnant women. UNICEF is working to provide temporary safe delivery space and has already sent delivery kits to the affected townships. (OCHA, May 20)

WHO has supplied one emergency health kit to the Maubin Hospital, which is functioning as a referral hospital. MOH has redeployed 10 medical doctors and 12 nurses from Mandalay and Yangon General Hospital to Maubin Hospital as well as three Public Health Officers. (OCHA, May 20)

UNAIDS reports that all anti-retroviral therapy (ART) services are providing the necessary services to the HIV-positive community. The Myanmar Positive Group is working with local community organizations such as Phoenix group and with support from HIV/AIDS Alliance and UNDP and other organizations working with groups such as AFXB. (WHO, May 18) The National League for Democracy is also providing support to HIV/AIDS patients. (Irrawaddy, May 28)

The Health Cluster is supporting, with medical supplies, 200 extended first-aid posts run by doctors from the MoH and MRCS volunteers. (WHO, May 18)

The health cluster has established three operations centers in the townships of Pathein, Labutta and Bogalay. (WHO, May 17)

Nutrition

Before Nargis, the Irrawaddy region had around 30 percent chronic and 9 percent acute malnutrition rates. (OCHA, May 11)

Save the Children says that some 30,000 children under the age of five in affected areas were acutely malnourished before the cyclone hit, of those the NGO believes several thousand are at risk of death in the next two to three weeks due to a lack of food. (DFID, May 18)

Technical Discussions with WFP and the Food Cluster on collaboration for provision of supplementary food were initiated both for targeted feeding and to improve the food basket. (OCHA, May 30)

The sub group on Infant Feeding in emergencies met and finalized technical information to be shared with the cluster and with other clusters. (OCHA, May 30)

Myanmar currently faces difficulties in providing adequate food to poor and vulnerable families. Despite being a food-surplus country, one-third of children remain malnourished; one-fifth are born underweight. (WFP, May 16)

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

UNICEF leads the water/sanitation cluster and has launched an appeal for an initial US$8.2 million.

The WASH Cluster has released technical guidelines on Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) and Pond rehabilitation specifically for use in the emergency:

http://myanmar.humanitarianinfo.org/water/default.aspx

(OCHA, May 27)

Most of the WASH supplies needed for RWH and pond rehabilitation are available locally in the country or will be procured locally. Main supplies that are scarce in country and will have to be imported are water treatment tablets, bladders and water containers (50L). (OCHA, May 28)

UNICEF and World Vision are conducting joint assessments. The technical working group will draw up a list of types of units as well as of fresh water ponds with usable/contaminated water. (OCHA, May 30)

Boats will need to be used as a mode of transport for shipping water and sanitation material into the delta. Since transporting bladder tanks by boat is difficult, it is seen as more reasonable to transport smaller water purification units on boats and supplying a number of water containers distributed along the route. (OCHA, May 30)

As water purification units are not permanent solutions for providing drinkable water to recipients in the delta area TWG agreed there isneed for an exit strategy when deploying the units. (OCHA, May 30)

Five employees of the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief brought two water treatment plants to Bogalay. The plants are capable of purifying 6,000 liters an hour and can supply drinking water for around 20,000. (GoG, May 27) An ICRC water purification unit was deployed to Dedaye on May 21, manned by five MRCS volunteers. The unit is producing 72,000 liters of water a day. (IFRC, May 27)

There are currently 27 mobile water treatment plants, with a total capacity of 3.288 cubic meters, that can provide clean water to approximately 1 million people. (WHO, May 26)

The Cluster has finalized a 4-month initial response action plan based on an assumption of 1.5 million affected people, including 0.5 million in temporary relief settlements.

Agencies have agreed to be WASH cluster focal points for each township. For Irrawaddy Division: Bogalay (GAA), Dedaye (CESVI), Kyaiklat (MRCS/IFRC), Labutta (Merlin), Mawlamyinegyun (MRCS), Pyapon (CDA). For Yangon Divison: Dala (AMI), Dagon (WV), Khawmu (UNICEF), Kungyangon (CDA), Seikgyikanaungto (AMI), Kyauktan (CDA), Hlaingtharyar (WV), Twantay (AMI). (OCHA, May 21)

The WASH cluster has finalized the recommended contents for hygiene kits, which are designed for a family of five persons for one month. Two versions of the kits are proposed, depending on whether they are to be supplied in a village setting or in more densely populated temporary settlements. (OCHA, May 26)

The Cluster agreed, in this phase, to adopt the following indicators: Safe drinking water: 3 liters per capita per day, “Clear and fresh” water (bathing, general purpose): 10 liters per day in temporary settlement settings. Latrines (or safe excreta disposal facility): 1/100 people in 60 days time, 1/50 in 90 days, 1/36 persons per day after 120 days, and thereafter at a rate of 5,000 latrines provided per month until the target of 1 latrine for 20 persons is reached. Hygiene promotion: 1 community per Hygiene Promoter per 2,000 persons in 60 days, and 1 per 500 persons in 90 days. (OCHA, May 17)

Agriculture

While Agriculture and Early Recovery remain separate clusters, they are collaborating doing strategic planning jointly.

UN emergency appeal includes US$10 million for agriculture. Actual requirements are much higher, and will be detailed and reflected in the revision of the appeal. (AP, May 24) A CERF grant of US$2 million has been approved for FAO. The project provides emergency support to restore food security in affected areas. (OCHA, May 24)

International aid agencies, led by the FAO, are assisting rice farmers in Irrawaddy from avoiding missing the planting period for the crucial monsoon paddy season due in the next few weeks. The FAO says the window is only a few weeks to start planting to ensure at least a partial harvest. The delta has long been Myanmar's most important rice-growing area, accounting for about 65 percent of total annual rice production. But most farming families lost all their seeds, fertilizer and livestock when Nargis struck, leaving them without the basics for planting. (IRIN, May 30)

Agriculture experts say that in delta's southernmost reaches many families were barely producing enough rice to feed themselves before the cyclone, as they cultivated marginal lands that had once been mangrove forest. As of May 30, vast areas of land remain under water. However, International Development Enterprises (IDE), an international NGO working to boost agricultural productivity in the area, estimates that around 150,000 households on good paddy land are ready to plant rice immediately - given the resources and implements. The FAO, agriculture ministry, IDE and other organizations are now scurrying to obtain and distribute appropriate seeds and fertilizer, as well as Chinese-made, hand-held tillers to replace lost animals that once plowed the fields. IDE says that the latest time to plant would be July 30. The group estimates the cost of replacing lost farming inputs at around US$300 per family (IRIN, May 30)

For its part, the FAO is analyzing soil types and testing seeds to ensure the seeds distributed that are appropriate for the land. In certain areas, households could require special salt-tolerant seeds to plant on land that was inundated by sea water. According to the FAO, about 700,000 hectares of paddy fields, or 20 percent of the delta's total paddy land, may need rehabilitation. (IRIN, May 30)

The government estimates the costs of rehabilitation at US$243 million for agriculture and US$25 million for livestock. Additional resources are needed for the fishery sector for which the losses are difficult to estimate.

State media said May 28 that more than 1 million acres (4,000 sq. km.) of farmland was flooded in the country’s main rice-growing region. The cyclone also killed 280,000 cattle used for plowing. State media says the farmers would need to be given tractors, fuel, seeds and other aid before the planting season due to start in just a few weeks. (AFP, May 29)

The Irrawaddy delta has an extensive fishery industry along its coast. The loss of crops, shrimp farms, fishing ponds, nursery hatcheries, fishing boats and other productive assets has led to increased unemployment of the extreme poor who depend on wage labor for their livelihood. (WFP, May 20)

Around 50 percent of cattle and buffalos in 10 surveyed townships perished during the storms. These livestock are essential to small rice farmers as draught animals for plowing the paddy fields. Their manure is the only source of nitrogen fertilizers used by farmers. (FAO, May 23)

Paddy fields intruded by sea water will need salt-tolerant rice varieties, in addition to water pumps for flushing out sea water. Land tillers are needed to repair embankments and prepare the fields for planting. (FAO, May 23)

UNDP Cash for Work programs are underway in the rice growing area of Kyaiklat in the Irrawaddy delta. Initial work includes clearing of ponds and land preparation to support farmers. Preparations are underway in Bogalay.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation reports that the current loss of rice is only 2.3% (718,400 MT) of total production in 2007/2008, although rice stored for household consumption has most likely been lost in the most affected areas. Extensive damage to land and agricultural infrastructure risks the loss of the November harvest because planting must be done within five to seven weeks. FAO has confirmed there are enough seeds for planting in-country, but fertilizer is still needed.

130,000 farming households were affected in Irrawaddy Division and 117,000 in Yangon Division. As the affected area is the nation’s granary, food security in the country and especially in the affected area is of concern. The rice planting season is beginning and the FAO estimates a need for 50,000 tons of rice and 15,000 tons of fertilizer, covering 250,000 hectares.

FAO has launched a new website offering a wide range of data and information tools on agriculture in Myanmar. (FAO, May 27)

Link: http://www.fao.org/nr/myanmar/myan-home_en.htm

FAO says nearly four-fifths of the population earned its living from the land, raising crops, livestock and fish. (FAO, May 27)

Protection of children and women

UNICEF and Save the Children lead the protection cluster.

40 percent of the affected population is estimated to be children. (UNICEF, May 26)

Twenty Child-Friendly Spaces are now functioning in Irrawaddy and 43 in Yangon divisions. (OCHA, May-23)

The Protection Cluster agreed that the co-leads UNICEF and Save the Children would work closely with the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) on child protection issues of concern, to be taken up with relevant government officials. The HC would be advocating family and community-based care for separated and unaccompanied children, in preference to orphanages. (OCHA, May 30)

The Child Focus Network has agreed to act as the national NGO focal point for the PCW Cluster. A staff member from SC will also attend the meetings to assist with information flow between the cluster and national NGOs. (OCHA, May 30)

Several agency teams (UNICEF, EMDH, SC, World Vision - with support from DSW Yangon and local MRCS) will leave for Irrawaddy Division to collect data and register separated children. (OCHA, May 30)

Partnership with national authorities is being strengthened through the participation of the Department of Social Welfare in the Cluster. The Child Focus Network has agreed to act as the national NGO focal point for the PCW Cluster. A staff member from SC will also attend the meetings to assist with information flow between the cluster and national NGOs. (OCHA, May 30)

A one page information sheet on ‘Incorporating the Protection of Children and Women: Temporary Settlements was distributed and will be shared with the Temporary Settlement WG. (OCHA, May 30)

A number of members will meet on June 3 to discuss cash transfers and the protection of vulnerable families. This will feed into larger group discussions with other clusters. The PCW Cluster Response Plan is being finalized by the PCW and will be updated regularly. (OCHA, May 30)

UNICEF warned that the risks of “secondary separations” will increase as many adolescents may be pressured to leave their families to look for work. (IRIN, May 29)

State media reported May 21 that at least two orphanages will be built in Labutta and Pyapon townships, however, UNICEF hopes its program to trace relatives will supersede plans to build new orphanages. (IRIN, May 29) The cluster continues to advocate for the placement of separated children in interim family-like care, rather than orphanages. (OCHA, May 26)

A local NGO cluster partner re-established 870 "Caregiver Circles" in Yangon to provide integrated early childhood development, including a feeding program for more than 9,000 children aged 0-3, and provide a support mechanism for the families. (OCHA, May 21)

Education

UNICEF leads the education cluster.

UNICEF will work with Ministry of Education (MoE) to reopen some schools in affected areas by June 2. The focus will be on damaged and collapsed schools in areas which have not been reached by aid groups. UNICEF and the MoE has been distributing building materials, school supplies, learning materials and recreational kits over the past two weeks. (UNICEF, May 29)

UNICEF says more than 4,000 basic education schools affecting some 1.1 million children were either damaged or totally destroyed. (UNICEF, May 29)

UNICEF is providing 100,000 essential learning packages for affected children, text books for 150,000 children, 2,000 school kits for schools, and 200,000 roofing sheets and construction kits for repairing schools. UNICEF will also provide tents, tarpaulins and support the establishment of at least 1,000 temporary safe learning spaces. (UNICEF, May 29)

The very young are also catered to in UNICEF’s Back-to-School initiative. Through its NGO partners, UNICEF supports early childhood development (ECD) centers and caregiver circles by distributing early childhood development kits. The repair of damaged centers will also be supported. The caregiver circles are designed for children under the age of three and their families by providing early stimulation and care, feeding and parenting programs. ECD centers cater for the early learning and development of children aged three to five. (UNICEF, May 29)

Reestablishing non-formal education activities for out-of-school children is another priority for UNICEF, which soon will distribute non-formal education kit to 3,000 out-of-school children affected by the disaster. To support children’s psychosocial needs, the ‘Let’s Read Initiative’ children’s books that were produced in 2006 to help build children’s resiliency will be reprinted and distributed. (UNICEF, May 29)

UNICEF says parents traditionally place a high value on education in Myanmar: the estimated national primary school net enrollment rate is 82 percent for both boys and girls. Education is considered a priority across different socio-economic, ethnic and political groupings, and among all levels of society. (UNICEF, May 29)

The Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement said that schools in eight of the most affected townships of Irrawaddy and Yangon divisions would resume school in July, one month later than scheduled. Some schools will be opened on June 2 as previously planned.(USAID, May 28) People living in schools will be relocated to camps to ensure that the new academic year could resume on June 2 per the government’s plans.

According to MoE, there is a surplus of teachers, and if needed, teachers from training colleges could be brought to affected areas.

UNICEF reports that they have so far distributed over 5,000 roof sheets, around 100 school in a box kits, as well as 62 recreation kits, in Hlaingtharya, Kawhmu and Shwepyithar townships. (OCHA, May 28)

The Ministry of Education says 3,000 primary schools were destroyed or damaged, affecting some 500,000 children. OCHA estimates some 2,400 primary schools have been damaged, affecting the education of 360,000 students. UNICEF says 85 percent of educational buildings were damaged.

Telecommunication

Some equipment is still being held in customs. Restriction on official imports of telecommunications equipment remains. Access issues for staff to Delta have improved, but the cluster is still assessing long term implications. Training of local ICT assistants continues. ICT mission staff returning to Yangon from Pyapon today. (OCHA, May 30)

The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement says no communications equipment can be imported, and as an alternative delivered to the Resident Coordinator’s office CDMA SIM cards and phones for sale through the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. A maximum of 10 units per agency are offered at a cost of US$1,500 each. (OCHA, May 22) Restriction on official imports of telecommunications equipment remains. (OCHA, May 28)

WFP and UNICEF continue to provide technical support to the humanitarian community in Bangkok and Yangon, and in sub-offices and logistics centers in Labutta, Bogalay and Pyapon. (OCHA, May 26) UNICEF has now completed installation of the IPSTAR system for use in Labutta. (OCHA, May-23)

Early Recovery

UNDP leads the early recovery cluster. UNDP has assembled a team to arrange recovery assessments from 1,700 villages. UN says the emergency appeal includes US$4.8 million for early recovery efforts. (AP, May 24)

FAO is funding part of the early assessment from own resources (US$638,000), and has received funding of US$500,000 from an Italian emergency contribution. US$16 million is under consideration by donors. (FAO, May 23)

The government had already called on private firms to help rebuild schools and hospitals and reconstruction was taking place surprisingly quickly. (Reuters, May 30)

UNDP is in the process of finalizing the design of its cash-for-work scheme in the five most affected townships, while simultaneously maintaining the distribution of relief items into the affected Delta area in cooperation with other UN agencies. (UNDP, May 29)

Early Recovery strategy will focus on two components: Immediate Activities, and Early Recovery. Immediate Activities are to organize assistance to help farming communities in the delta to prepare for the monsoon planting (early June to July). The Early Recovery component will provide a framework for a long-term recovery plan and will begin in 4-6 weeks. Planning, resource mobilization and programming will begin immediately.

The government has clarified that it is responsible for the rehabilitation of public buildings, but would welcome support.

The upcoming monsoon will exacerbate infrastructure and capacity issues.