By Xinhua,
Yangon : A tripartite core group involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the United Nations (UN) and Myanmar is working to make joint assessment on the impact of Cyclone Nargis that devastated Myanmar in early last May, according to state media Tuesday.
In preparation to carry out the assessment, the ASEAN Emergency Rapid Assessment Team (ERAT) is providing training for officials from over a dozen Myanmar government ministries, the New Light of Myanmar newspaper said.
A series of meetings was held on Monday, participated by Myanmar Deputy Foreign Minister U Kyaw Thu, 54 representatives from the 18 government ministries, representatives of ASEAN, resident representative and coordinator of UNDP and Singapore Ambassador Robert Chau, the report added.
The Yangon-based tripartite core group was established at an ASEAN-UN international pledging conference held in the former capital late last month as a working mechanism for coordination, facilitating and monitoring the flow of international assistance into Myanmar cyclone-hit areas.
U Kyaw Thu acts as chairman representing Myanmar in the tripartite core group.
The international pledging conference, attended by 51 countries and 24 UN organizations and international non-governmental organizations, was held to seek further international financial aid commitment for Myanmar’s cyclone aid relief and rehabilitation efforts.
The meeting pledged their determination to help Myanmar to overcome cyclone tragedy and resume their normal lives as quickly as possible and the event was regarded as an important exercise towards building a great trust, confidence and cooperation between the Myanmar government and the international community.
Earlier, ASEAN also established a task force, led by Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan, to coordinate and channel international aid to Myanmar and has been planning to send hundreds more of relief personnel to cyclone-ravaged country.
The UN launched an emergency appeal to world donors for 201 million U.S. dollars, of which 60 percent has so far been reportedly raised.
Myanmar estimated the damage and loss caused by the storm at 10.67 billion U.S. dollars with 5.5 million people affected.