Myanmar needs 1 bn for post-cyclone reconstruction

The new assessment of resources, needed to rebuild the country, was contained in the Post-Nargis Joint Assessment Report produced by the UN, the Government of Myanmar and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ASEAN, known collectively as the Tripartite Core Group.

It gives an analysis of the current needs of those living in the hardest-hit areas; the scope of the damage in all cyclone-affected areas; and the loss of income resulting from the storm.

8220;Immediate relief, early recovery and medium-term recovery programmes will all need to be accompanied by strong mechanisms to track aid, coordinate programmes and monitor progress,8221; noted the report, which was completed in less than five weeks with the support of numerous non-governmental organisations NGOs.

8220;Effective coordination, progress monitoring and aid tracking will be extremely important to ensure that efforts of Government, UN agencies, international donors, national and international NGOs and the private sector combine to produce effective results for the people of the affected areas,8221; it added.