Bangkok
09 February 2009
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| A survivor of cyclone Nargis stands by a house rebuilt next to wreckage of a destroyed one in Thetkala on outskirts of Rangoon, 16 May 2008 |
The United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have
launched a recovery plan for areas of Burma hit by last year's
devastating cyclone Nargis. Their representatives say Burma's military
government has promised full cooperation on the plan.
The U.N. and ASEAN say $690 million is needed for a cyclone Nargis recovery aid plan for Burma.
The three-year plan was jointly prepared by representatives from the U.N., ASEAN and Burma.
It calls for community-based projects to rebuild livelihoods, houses, hospitals and schools destroyed by the massive storm.
U.N.
humanitarian coordinator in Burma, Bishow Parajul, says, despite
initial emergency aid, there are still many people in great need in
Burma.
"'Building back better' means provision of seeds and
agriculture tools and all, so they have their own farm and they can be
self sufficient and stand on their own," said Parajul.
Parajul adds the UN has received $310 million in aid to Burma so far.
Many
nations, including the United States, offered immediate assistance to
Burma when cyclone Nargis in May ripped through its southern delta.
Burma's military-run government initially refused the help, leaving millions affected by the cyclone to fend for themselves.
An
estimated 140,000 people died in the disaster. Critics say some of
those people could have been saved if Burma's rulers would have
accepted the emergency assistance.
ASEAN Secretary-General Surin
Pitsuwan acknowledges Burma's generals initially made assistance
difficult, but says they are now cooperating at the highest level on
recovery plans.
"I think we have been reassured that whatever
cooperation, whatever support that we need in order to move forward in
the implementation ... we have been promised that we will get that,"
said Pitsuwan.
Despite Burmese rulers' change of heart in
accepting outside aid, Pitsuwan says they do not expect to transform or
change Burma. But he says they do hope the new level of confidence
will lead to further flexibility in their cooperation.
Burma's military has ruled the country for more than 40 years, suppressing moves towards democracy and jailing dissidents.