This report covers the period 1 January to 30 June 2011
In brief
Programme outcomes:
Lives of affected people are saved and improved through timely and effective disaster response and increased community participation in risk reduction activities.
Safe and healthy living conditions are provided through community-based health and first aid and promotion in health and care and water and sanitation.
MRCS becomes stronger at all levels to deliver quality community-based services to the vulnerable in Myanmar.
Social inclusion and a culture of non-violence and peace are promoted through active humanitarian diplomacy.
Programme summary:
In accordance with its new disaster management policy, the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) is carrying out response preparedness and disaster risk reduction activities. MRCS provided a timely and effective response to the Cyclone Giri (October 2010) and the Shan earthquake (March 2011) in line with its contingency plan and standard operating procedure (SOP).
Progress has been made in community-based health and first aid (CBHFA), communicable disease control, and water and sanitation. This has been demonstrated by the reduced impact on community health during the Cyclone Giri operation; less HIV vulnerability among communities-at-risk, and reduced TB transmissions. MRCS continually contributes to the supply of safe blood through voluntary nonremunerated blood donors mobilized by Red Cross volunteers (RCVs). Thanks to health education sessions, community awareness of communicable diseases has increased and vulnerable people are better able to cite symptoms of diseases and take preventive measures.
The division of organizational development of MRCS has had a stable structure and a high level of cooperation within the team, facilitating a cooperative and coordinated approach to the development of the National Society. Conscious of the demands placed on MRCS, the IFRC country office continuously seeks to support its internal dialogue and consensus building.
MRCS has also exerted efforts in media relations, volunteer capacity building and dissemination of the Fundamental Principles and humanitarian values of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
Financial situation: The total 2011 budget is CHF 3,520,232, of which CHF 2,886,650 (82 per cent) is covered up to end-June 2011. The contributions to the Cyclone Giri operation are not included here.
Overall expenditure during the reporting period was CHF 1,446,152 (41 per cent) of the total budget. The level of expenditure was low because of the uncertainty of funding of programmes and the National Society gave priority to the timely completion of the Nargis operation and the emergency response to the Cyclone Giri and Shan earthquake. Considering the overall expected funding and the level of expenditures, budget revisions are due in September 2011.
No. of people we have reached: Some 230,000 people benefited directly and some 520,000 others indirectly, from the IFRC-supported programmes during the reporting period. Approximately 250,000 people are expected to benefit from the activities planned for the rest of the year.
Our partners: MRCS continues to benefit from a number of multilateral and bilateral partnerships.
Ongoing key multilateral support for this plan comes from Canadian Red Cross, Red, Finnish Red Cross/Finnish government, Hong Kong branch of the Red Cross Society of China, Japanese Red Cross Society, Netherlands Red Cross and Swedish Red Cross. MRCS also works with the long-term in-country partner national societies of Australia, Denmark and France on various bilateral programmes. MRCS’s cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) continues in the area of communications and support to prostheses workshops and training sessions.
MRCS maintains important partnerships with Burnet Institute, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNHCR and UNOPS, as well as with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Welfare and Relief and Resettlement, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Home Affairs and local authorities.
On behalf of Myanmar Red Cross Society, IFRC would like to thank all partners and donors for their generous and invaluable support of this programme.