Two years ‐ many milestones

Almost two years after cyclone Nargis devastated large parts of the Ayeyarwady Delta, killed tens of thousands of people and destroyed the homes and livelihoods for many of the survivors, the Red Cross can conclude that it has reached over one million beneficiaries with its relief and recovery.

Although the assistance focuses on improving lives of individuals and families and is not about statistics, this figure is nevertheless impressive. Including the assistance given by Red Cross volunteers to other agencies and the spread of messages from health education sessions, the number might even be higher.

The high number of beneficiaries reached is thanks to a combination of the untiring efforts by thousands of volunteers, tremendous international financial support to the Emergency Appeal and to great cooperation between the Myanmar Red Cross Society and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, IFRC.

Accountability

Another element behind the success is the involvement of the communities and local authorities in most stages and all sectors of the programs, from selecting the most vulnerable in their own communities to deciding on materials and style for their new shelters. In most communities there has even been a “suggestion box” where those who were too shy to talk or express their disagreement during village meetings could put their proposals or complaints in writing.

The benefit of providing physical structures, such as shelters, schools and water sources , to families and communities, are easy to prove. The results of the numerous training sessions are less tangible. In addition all reports show that communities experience fewer problems with diseases, and there have no epidemic outbreaks in the areas, which have received health education and other support.

Setbacks and stumbling blocks

Naturally such a huge operation in such a vast area with many communities which are difficult to reach is time consuming and has encountered setbacks and stumbling blocks in the process of reaching its goals. In most cases these have been used as lessons learned and programs have been adapted and adjusted, just like recommendations from reviews and evaluations have helped improve the operation.

The close cooperation with IFRC and other partners has also led to a significant amount of capacity building, not only in the national society but also in local communities where engineers, carpenters, health workers, volunteers and beneficiaries have increased skills and knowledge.