Safer Coastal and Urban Communities through DRR in Myanmar

Background

Myanmar is exposed to a range of natural hazards which are associated with different geological, hydrological and meteorological conditions. Hazards There are nine frequent hazards in the country namely cyclones, storm surges, floods, tsunami, landslides, earthquakes, drought, fires and forest fires. The country also lays in one of the two main earthquake belts of the world with a complex seism tectonic processes with several fault lines traversing across the country. The Sagaing fault is the most prominent active fault which runs North-South in Myanmar. According to a recent study future earth-quake of up to M~7.9 is likely to occur in central Myanmar. Many of the urban centers including Sagaing, Bago, and Taungoo cities are lying on the highest risk zone of the Sagaing fault. They have a population of more than 100,000 people and have recently undergone important urban development and are particularly vulnerable to the impact of an earthquake.

DIPECHO VIII Action Plan for South East Asia

The second round of DIPECHO funding for Myanmar focus on two specific targets in terms of hazards and areas:

• • As a consolidation of the first phase, actions will target coastal areas from Rakhine State to Tanintharyi Region for cyclone, tropical storm, storm surge, tidal wave as well as multi-hazard approaches;
• • Priority will be given to the most vulnerable communities with few coping mechanisms living in rural areas highly exposed to the above mentioned hazards;
• • In addition, earthquake preparedness measures will be launched, targeting urban and peri-urban areas along the Sagaing fault-line.

Activities

• • Promote safer construction in project area (8 Townships)
• • Support the development of Township Disaster Management Plans (TDMPs) in 4 townships
• • Carry out earthquake related assessments in 3 cities and make recommendations
• • Build DRR knowledge and awareness

Results

• • Carpenter trainings were conducted in eight pilot townships to promote safer construction and prioritized small scale mitigation activities at the community level.
• • Training modules for Carpentry Trade (Construction) were developed along the lines of National Skills Standards Authority (NSSA) curriculum, at strategic level.
• • Trainings were conducted in focus on providing Competency Based Certification through MES’s on Occupational Skills Standards, and rollout trainings at township level.
• • Township Disaster Management Plan were reviewed and updated by strengthening Township Disaster Management Committee and Sub-committees through a process approach.
• • 15 sets of Training Aids (Laptop, Projector, Portable Audio System and Generator) were supported to Relief and Resettlement Department at National and State Region for training outreach and awareness programme.