Source: Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) -Three Post-Nargis Recovery projects implemented by ASEAN Volunteers and implementing partners were handed over to the Nargis-affected community today by the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, Dato' Misran Karmain, in Myanmar.The projects provided support in livelihoods, disaster risk reduction and access to safe water and sanitation for at least 5,000 households in the Kungyangon, Kwahmu, Labutta and Pyapon townships. Funded by Norway and Timor-Leste, the project activities are community-driven and centred on supporting under-assisted communities, especially those most vulnerable.
As part of the handover ceremony, Dato' Misran, ASEAN Volunteers and implementing partners inaugurated a bridge and distributed boats with engines, water tanks, artesian wells and rice mills to the villagers in Kungyangon township. Senior members of the Tripartite Core Group (TCG) were also present at the inauguration. The TCG comprises representatives from ASEAN, the Government of Myanmar and the United Nations.
"ASEAN is honoured to transfer ownership of the projects to these communities," said Dato' Misran at the ceremony. "The projects have rebuilt people's livelihoods and enhanced their capacity on reducing disaster risks. We hope that these outcomes will be sustained," he added.
The three projects were implemented between November 2009 and June 2010 by Border Areas Development Association, Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED) and ActionAid International- Myanmar/Aung Yadanar Social Association, with the support of 20 ASEAN Volunteers from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand.
Dato' Misran also commended the ASEAN Volunteers for their contribution. "The ASEAN Volunteers from different parts of the region who came to lend helping hands to the people of Myanmar and to exchange knowledge have demonstrated the principle of a caring and sharing ASEAN Community," he said. "I am proud of them and their active commitment in local capacity building. Their spirit of volunteerism should be promoted across and beyond the region," he added.
