24 July 2008 | Washington
A new report released by an independent researcher from the Burmese community says that many victims of Cyclone Nargis are still not getting adequate relief material from international aid groups, including the United Nations agencies.
A Press Release published on July 24 states that a new report titled "An Alternative Assessment of the Humanitarian Assistance in the Irrawaddy Delta: Situation after 60 days", was prepared by an independent Burmese researcher who conducted a month long assessment in the Irrawaddy Delta between 7 June - 4 July, 2008. This "alternative" assessment identifies the situation on the ground and exposes gaps in the distribution of humanitarian aid. The researcher conducted informal discussions and interviews with villagers, local leaders, and relief workers from social organizations and local NGOs.
The report concludes there is lack of coordination amongst UN agencies, international agencies and local groups (including local NGOs and social groups), in the delivery of relief, data collection, impact assessments and information sharing and there is an overlap in relief distribution. The researcher says "it is questionable how much aid is actually being delivered to the affected communities".
The report says that "In the light of the fact that the World Bank and Asian Development Bank have provided support to the ASEAN-led Post-Nargis Joint Assessment Team, it is critical that the World Bank and the ADB maintain maximum transparency and provide public information regarding their support for the ASEAN-led PONJA assessment, and also include community-based organizations which are advocating for genuine political reform in any decision-making process regarding direct or indirect support for reconstruction activities in Burma".
View the full Press Release:
Press Release-Alternative Assessment Report July 23, 2008 (Acrobat pdf, 9 KB)
read the full independent report:
Alternative Assessment Report-Cyclone Nargis July 23, 2008 (Acrobat pdf, 272 KB)
read the ASEAN Post-Nargis Joint Assessment:
Alternative Assessment Report-Cyclone Nargis July 23, 2008 (Acrobat pdf, 272 KB)
To learn more about the ASEAN Post-Nargis relief efforts, visit the ASEAN website.