THE United Nations said last week there was a “critical need” for funding to help rebuild the lives of millions of people in the agriculture sector whose livelihoods were shattered when cyclone Nargis battered the Ayeyarwady delta last May.

A United Nations statement issued after a meeting of international donors in Yangon last Thursday said only US$16.3 million had been provided out of $58.4 million sought for the sector under a UN Revised Appeal for funding made last July.

This was only 28 percent of the amount sought, making agriculture the least funded sector under the nine-month-old appeal, said the statement, issued by the office of the UN resident/humanitarian coordinator in Myanmar, Mr Bishow Parajuli.

Overall, it said, the appeal had attracted $309 million, or 65 percent of the $477 million needed for relief and recovery work.

“Cyclone Nargis did not only cause tremendous human suffering. It also took away the tools people need to make a living, and hence the opportunity to produce food and secure income to their families,” the statement said.

“It remains a critical need to provide adequate support, such as restocking of lost assets and re-establishing of livelihood opportunities, such as livestock, fishing nets and boats in order for people in the delta to resume economic activity and be active participants in the longer-term recovery process,” the statement said.

It follows a UN report issued a day earlier that said food security was still a major concern in the delta, Myanmar’s main rice-producing region.

The report by the World Food Program and Food and Agriculture Organisation said rice production in cyclone-affected areas of the delta had fallen to half last year’s output.

However, the report said that overall rice production in the delta had not been seriously affected because of better yields in unaffected areas.

The report said output in unaffected areas was forecast to be close to or better than last year. It said because of favourable weather and the increased use of better rice seeds, output was expected to top 21 million tonnes, which was 3 percent below the previous year but 10 percent above the average of the last five years.

The WFP’s Myanmar representative, Mr Chris Kaye, said the decline in rice production in the delta meant that many people would continue to need assistance.

“For many of those affected by cyclone Nargis, who are engaged in rebuilding their lives and livelihoods, the limited delta harvest means they will continue to rely on assistance to meet their food needs,” he was quoted as saying in the report.

The report, based on a survey by the two UN agencies in the delta last October and November, stressed the need for seeds, draught animals, hand tractors and fishing equipment.

The call for more funding for the farm sector came as the Tripartite Core Group, which oversees the relief operation, is preparing to release a report next week on a recovery plan for the next three years that seeks funding of $690 million.

The UN says the report, which includes suggestions on how the international community could further assist cyclone victims, has been approved by the government and was due to be released in Yangon on February 9.

The report is also expected to recommend that the TCG, comprising representatives from the Myanmar government, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the UN, continue its role for three years after its mandate expires in July.

Meanwhile, international donors have urged the government to support an extension of the TCG’s mandate and to continue to allow foreign aid personnel to provide assistance in the delta.

During a visit to Myanmar in late January, Norway’s International Development Minister, Mr Erik Solheim, highlighted the need for continued international assistance for cyclone-affected areas.

“The humanitarian relief and early recovery efforts after cyclone Nargis have been more successful than expected,” Mr Solheim said after a trip to the delta.
“What is important now is continued and increased access for humanitarian workers,” he said.

Mr Solheim was accompanied by his Danish counterpart, Ms Ulla Toernaes, who said a continuation of the TCG’s role would be essential during the reconstruction phase.

The UN says the two Nordic countries have contributed nearly $20 million to its cyclone relief activities.