Periodic Review
Frequently Asked Questions?
What is the Periodic Review?
In the immediate aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, a jointly led assessment mission (under the auspices of the Tripartite Core Group composed of ASEAN, the Government of the Union of Myanmar and the UN) undertook a Post Nargis Joint Assessment (PONJA) to determine the full scale of the impact of the cyclone and requirements for both immediate humanitarian assistance needs and medium to longer term recovery. The assessment, which was conducted in the Ayeyarwady and Yangon Divisions from 10 – 19 June 2008, consisted of two components - Village Tract Assessment (VTA) focusing on conditions and humanitarian needs, as well as Damage and Loss Assessment (DaLA), which is an assessment of damage and losses. Following the PONJA, the Periodic Review will undertake interim assessments in the months of November 2008 and June 2009, and February/March 2009 if appropriate, in order to document overall progress towards meeting the goals of emergency relief and early recovery efforts. The Periodic Review will use the VTA as its baseline for comparison of progress towards meeting needs and reaching standards.
Who will undertake the Periodic Review?
The Periodic Review is a process which is mandated by the TCG. Whilst the review is to be jointly led by two TCG members, i.e. ASEAN Chief Technical Advisor and the UN-appointed Humanitarian Coordinator, the process will be implemented through mechanisms which prioritise widespread participation of the Government of the Union of Myanmar, ASEAN, UN-Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) as well as International and Local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). Representatives from all relevant participating organisations/entities will be involved at all stages of the Periodic Review from design through results analysis and lessons learning.
Why is the Periodic Review important?
The Periodic Review will provide objective, credible data which will serve as a measure of the degree to which humanitarian relief and early recovery efforts have succeeded in meeting the needs of people living in the Cyclone-affected areas. The information gathered will be of immense benefit to all stakeholders who are involved in relief and recovery efforts in the Delta and provide, for the donor community, unambiguous data on which to plan their future funding commitments in order to assist the Cyclone-affected communities within the Delta.
Why is the Periodic Review unique?
Beyond the Myanmar context, the VTA and DaLA under the PONJA and Periodic Review are exceptional in that an early baseline assessment of damage and needs, following a natural disaster, will be followed by regular determination of overall progress against a goal. Additionally the vital role demonstrated by a regional organisation, i.e. ASEAN alongside the United Nations and the Government of the affected country under the tripartite mechanism may serve as a model for future relief and early recovery efforts in the aftermath of a catastrophic natural disaster.
What information will the Periodic Review provide to the international humanitarian community including donors?
The involvement of the Government of Union of Myanmar, UN, ASEAN and non-governmental organisations serves to ensure that determination of needs will be achieved through a transparent and credible process. The results of such an objective analysis will enable all stakeholders to be confident that in addition to the granting of access and determination of initial needs through the PONJA, evaluation of aid delivery efforts can also be undertaken in Myanmar. These steps will provide assurances to the donor community that effective delivery of aid assistance is being achieved across the Delta. Furthermore information from the Periodic Review will serve as a basis on which the donor community can plan their future funding allocations during the continuing early recovery phase of aid assistance.
What forms of support are needed in order to conduct the Periodic Review?
The Periodic Review is both a significant logistical undertaking as well as being complex in terms of the methodology on which the assessment will be based. It requires significant logistical support as well as the involvement of experts spanning the fields of assessment methodology, statistics and household needs analysis. The Periodic Review will be principally resourced through institutional donor funding. A number of key managerial and technical positions could be resourced through in-kind contributions in the form of secondment of expert staff.
How can you contact us?
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us through: Periodic Review Team Coordinating Office of the ASEAN Humanitarian Task Force / Chatrium Hotel, Yangon/ 40, Natmouk Road, Tamwe Township Yangon, Union of Myanmar/ Tel. no.: (951) 544500 Ext. 424/ Fax no.: (951) 549933
