Title: Disaster Diplomacy: A Case Study of the Tripartite Core Group's Post-Nargis Humanitarian Assistance in Myanmar

Author: Dalina Prasertsri

Year: 2009

Keywords: NARGIS/SANCTIONS/CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT/ASEAN/BURMA/MYANMAR/TRIPARTITE CORE GROUP/TCG/UN/ HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTION/DISASTER DIPLOMACY

Download PDF of Abstract: English Thai

Abstract:

On 2 May 2008 the devastating Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar, causing over 140,000 deaths and affecting about 2.4 million people in the country. Despite the desperate situation, the Government of Myanmar refused the humanitarian assistance offered by international development organizations and Western governments. This act caused the international community to formulate unconventional ways in order to bring relief into Myanmar. They attempted to apply the Responsibility to Protect principle but failed, and later on used disaster diplomacy tactics by utilizing ASEAN as a mediating agent to build dialogue between Myanmar and the humanitarian community. This ASEAN-led mechanism was operated under the establishment of the coordinating body called the Tripartite Core Group (TCG) aiming to bring aid into Myanmar.

This thesis uses the disaster diplomacy framework to address the impact of Cyclone Nargis on the two-decades-long tension between the Government of Myanmar and the international community. The TCG, with the mediating support by the ASEAN, was seen by many observers as an opportunity to revitalize and improve this relationship. Apart from facilitating aid, the TCG was expected to help breaking down Myanmar's suspicion about the West's agenda and help the Government of Myanmar realize that the humanitarian community had no hidden political objective on its aid agenda. Beyond evaluating the work of the TCG in the above light, the thesis also aims to examine the achievements of the ASEAN and the UN as to whether they were able to efficiently meet the TCG's objectives regarding humanitarian aid and their ability to change the perception, behavior, approach and objectives of Myanmar. The study also identifies the gaps, challenges and the opportunities faced by the group to provide efficient and meaningful emergency response to Myanmar.

Contact MAIDS-Chula for more information and full thesis at maidschula@gmail.com

Tag Cloud

BIOPOWER CIVIL SOCIETY COASTAL GOVERNANCE COMMUNITY CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY COUNTRY RECONSTRUCTURE CURRENT EDUCATION IN THE CAMP DEMOCRACY IN BURMA DEMOCRATIZATION DEVELOPMENT DISCOURSE EDUCATION EUROPEAN UNION GOOD GOVERNANCE GOVERNANCE FACTORS HIGHER EDUCATION HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE ICM INDONESIA INSTITUTIONS INTEGRATED COASTAL MANAGEMENT KAREN REFUGEES KHMER ROUGE LIVELIHOOD MIGRATION MYANMAR NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT NGO OTOP PARTICIPATORY MANGROVE FORESTRY REINTEGRATION RESISTANCE SHADOW STATE POLITICS SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SOCIAL MOVEMENT SUSTAINABLE COASTAL DEVELOPMENT SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TAK PROVINCE THAI-BURMA BORDER THAI-KAREN PEOPLE THAI FEMALE THAILAND THAKSIN SHINAWATRA WORK OPPORTUNITIES WORLD SOCIAL FORUM

Title: Community-Based Disaster Management in Myanmar: The Case of Cyclone Nargis Affected Communities in Bogale Township, Ayeyarwady Division

Author: Kyaw Thu Mya Han

Year: 2008

Keywords: COMMUNITY-BASED DISASTER MANAGEMENT/LOCAL PEOPLE/CYCLONE NARGIS/AYEYARWADY DELTA

Download PDF of Abstract: English Thai

Abstract:

This study aims to identify and assess existing efforts of the local people in managing natural disaster at the community level. It also explores the necessary conditions for the promotion of community-based disaster management focusing on three communities of Bogale Township, Ayeyarwady delta, including Ma Gu Ywar Ma, Pay Chain Lay and Thar Yar Gone villages. Exploratory and qualitative methods are used in the study. Analysis is based on empirical field observations guided by disaster management framework of the UN agencies, international non-governmental organizations and local non-governmental organizations concerned. The study evaluates the government policies and framework on disaster management, and the role of local communities in disaster relief activities. Local household members were interviewed.

The study finds the villagers were able to organize themselves at a minimum level, e.g., maintaining relief items in their communities' warehouses, and reconstructing the school. Aspects of community disaster management were not well established such as early warning system and evacuation protocols as well as the humanitarian relief operation. This reflects upon the government's initial arrangement for the community was not adequate. The ability to mobilize and utilize local resources and the capacity of local communities still requires continuous national and international assistance. Under the strictly control of the government's command over the relief operation, the community-based disaster management cannot be fully exercised. This is due to the fact that the community needs to access to the initial humanitarian re4ief to be able to play a greater role in reviving their livelihoods; and the two-way communication channels with other actors including the government agencies is not established.

Contact MAIDS-Chula for more information and full thesis at maidschula@gmail.com