New Delhi – Discrimination is evident in distribution of aid, with many victims of Cyclone Nargis still not getting adequate relief material being disbursed by international aid groups including the United Nations agencies, a new report said.
The new report, 'An Alternative Assessment of the Humanitarian Assistance in the Irrawaddy Delta', released by an independent Burmese researcher, said even more than two months after the cyclone, several victims in remote areas are still struggling in the absence of proper aid supplies.
Ko Shwe, author of the report, said he travelled extensively to cyclone-hit areas, particularly to Laputta and Ngaputaw townships in Burma 's southwestern Irrawaddy delta. He said there is lack of proper coordination among aid groups including local nongovernmental organizations.
"In some places there is overlapping of relief supplies," Ko Shwe, a Burmese environmentalist based in Thailand , told Mizzima.
Ko Shwe, in his report, said there is a lack of strategic coordination amongst UN agencies, international agencies and local groups including local NGOs and social groups, in the delivery of relief, data collection, impact assessment and information sharing, which is leading to overlapping in relief distribution.
The report said there are questions of accountability, transparency in aid distribution as it is often conducted through junta-backed civil organization – the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA).
"It is questionable how much aid is actually being delivered to the affected communities," Ko Shwe said.
According to an aid worker in Laputta, who spoke to Mizzima earlier over telephone, most aid distribution, done through the government, is carried out by members of the USDA, who are giving priority and help its members affected by the cyclone.
While the government has assigned several national companies to construct houses in the affected areas, the report said it is unclear who will be provided with these houses and villagers in Laputta townships are seen repairing and reconstructing their own houses with locally available resources.
The report is the first alternative assessment after the Post-Nargis Joint Assessment released its report on July 21, and aims at highlighting the plight of cyclone victims after two months.
"My idea is solely to bring to light the plight of the victims two months after the cyclone and to remind that there are groups left without adequate support," Shwe told Mizzima.
Meanwhile, UN Humanitarian Chief John Holmes, who is in Burma to assess the relief and rehabilitation situation on Tuesday said, though much has been done to help the cyclone victims, there is still need to reach vulnerable groups in remote areas.
"We must focus now on reaching the most vulnerable communities in remote areas, especially along the southern coast of the delta," Holmes said in a statement released on Tuesday by the UN.
Holmes, who is visiting Burma for the second time since Cyclone Nargis struck the country in May, will meet key Burmese humanitarian actors, as well as Burmese Minister for National Planning and Economic Development and Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.
Holmes is visiting the country after witnessing the launch of PONJA report in Singapore , which is expected to attract more donations from donor countries.
Following the release of the PONJA report, the Australian government has pledged to donate another US$ 30 million while New Zealand said it will give US$ 2 million for reconstruction and relief in cyclone affected areas in Burma .
Sarah Finney, Public Affairs Officer of AusAID told Mizzima that the funds will be used to help women, children and displaced persons.
"We are already committed to provide funding," said Finney.
According to the PONJA report, Cyclone Nargis has caused damage to the tune of US$ 4 billion and relief work for cyclone victims in the next three years will require US$ 1 billion.
Editing by Mungpi
