Disaster Risk Reduction Program

Name: Disaster Risk Reduction Program

Duration: March-September 2009

Donors: Oxfam America

With the help of Oxfam America Pact is aiding the preparedness of residents of Myanmar for disasters. As the largest nation in mainland South-East Asia with over 2,000km of coastline covering the eastern part of the Bay of Bengal, Myanmar has been prone to heavy rain as well as cyclones, landslides, earthquakes and drought. In the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, one of the most destructive cyclones in recorded history, coupled with other disasters following the cyclone it has become important for PACT to carry out disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities to help reduce losses and damages to livelihood activities.

Through Pact’s history in Myanmar a pilot project was conceived to assist villagers in the Pyapone township in the Delta region in reducing losses and damage to their livelihoods due to natural disasters. Pact will achieve this goal through the following objectives:

• To assist 50 villages in Pyapone township in disaster risk reduction and expand later into other townships as future funding allows.

• To implement a livelihood support programme in Pyapone township in coordination withother donors.

Specific Objectives:

• To assist 50 villages in democratically selecting a disaster risk reduction management team consisting of 5-10 individuals in each village.

• To assist 50 villages in developing a disaster risk reduction plan for their village.

• To materially support 50 villages in procuring an essential disaster risk reduction early warning kit for use in coordination with their plan.

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Staff contacts

	Fahmid Bhuiya Country Representative and Technical Advisor pactmya@yangon.net.mm
	Kimberly McClain Program Officer kmcclain@pactworld.org