The greatest constraint on human development in Myanmar is poverty, which affects most of the country's rural population. The Human Development Initiative (HDI) is an integrated development programme, funded by UNDP, which seeks to respond to the humanitarian and basic needs of the people of Myanmar in carefully targeted areas. The programme has three main objectives:
I. to create a visible and measurable impact on human welfare and living standards in rural communities;II. to involve local communities in the identification, design, and implementation of grassroots initiatives of direct benefit to them;
III. to strengthen local people's capacities for sustained community-focused development.
The first phase of the HDI ran from 1994 through late 1996. The second phase, HDI-E began in late 1996 and is just concluding. The third phase of the Programme is expected to commence in mid-1999. Ten projects comprise the HDI, grouped into thee thematic clusters of humanitarian needs, environmentally sustainable livelihoods and food security, and inter-sectoral activities.
Three FAO-implemented projects1 focus on helping poor farmers and the landless to improve production and increase incomes from agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, and livestock in the Dry Zone, Southern Shan State, and the Ayeyarwady Delta.
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a) Environmentally Sustainable Food Security and Micro Income Opportunities in the Dry Zone;
b) Environmentally Sustainable Food Security and Micro Income Opportunities in Critical Watersheds
c) Environmentally Sustainable Food Security and Micro Income Opportunities in the Ayeyarwady (Mangrove) Delta
A request for the SPPD Mission was formulated and agreed by UNDP in late 1997. At that time the Mission was seen as an initial stage in the formulation of a longer term strategy, and as providing a major input into the formulation of proposals for a proposed Phase III of the three FAO projects. In the event, the Mission did not arrive in Myanmar until November 1998. By which time a formal evaluation of the FAO projects had taken place in May and June of 1998, and the project proposals for Phase III had already been drafted. The Mission began its work in November 1998 with a review of its terms of reference. The suggested outputs (shown as Annex 1) were intended to support the three FAO projects in determining activities for Phase III and in consolidating and strengthening their approach to rural development. The SPPD Mission undertook its assignment during the course of two visits to Myanmar; 10 November through 9 December 1998, and 13 February through 17 March 1999.
This report seeks to consolidate and present the findings and recommendations of the members of the SPPD Mission.
The Mission is grateful to Mr. J. Rawley, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, and to Mr. F. Rinville, FAO Representative, for their support and assistance. Members of the offices of UNDP and FAO in Yangon provided considerable logistical support. The CTAs of the three FAO projects were generous with their already scarce time, and unfailing in their efforts to provide for the requirements of the Mission. Thanks are due especially to the members of the farming communities visited by the Mission for their cooperation, patience and generous hospitality.
