Cooperation on Rakhine aid effort praised

Cooperation on Rakhine aid effort praised

By Bill O'Toole   |   Sunday, 11 August 2013

Humanitarian groups say relief and recovery efforts in Rakhine State have proceeded faster than expected, thanks in part to the cooperation shown by state and national government officials.

The comments come as the United Nations says 140,000 people remain displaced and almost US$40 million in new funding is required to meet their needs to the end of the year.

Hans ten Feld, a spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees office in Yangon, said the government had played an important role in helping his agency provide shelter to tens of thousands of displaced people ahead of the monsoon.

"One of the big recent challenges has been the necessity to ensure that 70,000 vulnerable IDPs were provided adequate shelter during the monsoon season. This has been largely achieved, not least with a substantial government response in this area," he said.

"I have been encouraged by statements by the government at different levels, from President Thein Sein down, that have recognised the need to help repair community relations; to address issues without any bias and in accordance with the law and with the public service code of conduct; and, in general, the willingness and intention to move forward in a positive and constructive manner to address and resolve the situation in Rakhine State."

This view was echoed by David Mathieson, a Yangon-based spokesperson for Human Rights Watch. While his organisation has been a vocal critic of government policies in Rakhine State, he described the relief effort as "successful" and praised the government's cooperation with aid groups.

"Under the circumstances, I don't think anyone has expected aid delivery to happen as fast as it has," Mr Mathieson said. "The fact that it's been successful is a testament to the expertise of UN officials and the cooperation of the local government."

Mr Mathieson said he believed both the Rakhine State and central governments were downplaying their important role in the delivery of aid to avoid accusations of bias from the Rakhine community, which regularly complains that aid groups favour Muslims over Rakhine people.

The UN Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said last week that as of mid-July about 140,000 people were still displaced due to two outbreaks of violence in the state in 2012.

"In addition, as many as 36,000 other individuals in isolated and host communities in Minbya, Myebon, Pauktaw, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw and Sittwe townships have also been adversely impacted," the report said.

With aboutr $70 million already committed to the relief effort in Rakhine State, OCHA estimates that UN agencies need another $39.3 million by the end of the year.

The report highlights food security as one of the most pressing issues in the region, and estimates that UN groups have less than half of the funding needed to properly address the issue.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/08/12/cooperation-on-rakhine-aid-effort-praised/