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Aung Kyaw Moe / Task 1 - Humanitarian Aid and Supply Chain

Memo
To: From: Date: RE:

Francois Damba Aung Kyaw Moe


28 May 2013

TASK 1 HUMANITARIAN AID SUPPLY CHAIN

Dear Francois, As a new comer to Betaland, I would like to submit a brief account of what SCILaid is doing in Betaland and what type and stage of programme it is running recently. All information below is collected from my colleagues from SCILaid Betaland who are really helpful in my process of understanding both SCILaid and Betaland. And I start to study our Logistics Manual you provided me and this Manual also gives me some basic concepts and nature of humanitarian aid. I hope my narrative account will met what you expect from me. SCILaid is an NGO focused on emergency relief activities and it is presently working in more than 20 countries in the world. It is founded based upon the basic principle of humanitarian aid which assistance is provided to save lives, alleviate suffering and maintain human dignity. As a humanitarian NGO, SCILaid adhere to the fundamental principles of (1) Humanity-human suffering must be addressed wherever it is found with particular attention to the most vulnerable people (2) Impartiality-providing humanitarian assistance without discriminations based on race, gender, nationality, religious belief and ethnic group. (3) Neutrality-providing humanitarian aids without engaging in hostilities or taking sides of opposing political factions. SCILaid is ready to response both natural and man-made disasters such as earthquake, flood, drought, and armed conflicts between different rebel groups. SCILaid always maintain her professionalism in order to access expertise in both technical and managerial fields. It values efficient responses to all humanitarian needs, generated by situations where peoples lives and livelihoods are put at risk to a point where their own coping mechanisms fails to provide adequate protection. SCILaid is now trying to standardize all relief items in a better way and promote coordination with other organizations at all levels.

SCILaid implemented some humanitarian aids activities in Betaland for 7 years. Betaland is a small country of 15 millions people where 84 % of her people are rural dwellers. The level of education in Betaland is not good and literacy rate is only 55% of the whole population. Textile trading is the main business in Betaland that make independent income for women who are free and take leading role in all sectors of their life. From 1975 to 1990, Betaland was under military government and by 1991 it returned to multiparty democratic system. The previous presidential system was overthrown and replaced with Prime Minister System but the Army is still strong to intervene in the political affairs. General security situation in Betaland is fine. Betaland has a long border shared with Alphaland in the southern part of country. There had been arm conflicts in Alphaland and as a result, influx of refugees from Alphaland come into Betaland and Betalands government accommodated refugees by opening some refugee camps near the border. There are some international organizations active in Betaland. They are 1. United Nations International Refugee Programme (UNIRP) which is responsible for camp management 2. United Nations Protection Fund (UNFP) which is active in education sector 3. United Nations Food Aid (UNFA) is the main provider of food and nutrition 4. Emergency Health Relief (EHR) is helping in health related issues 5. Poverty Relief International (PRI) is the expert in water and sanitation sector 6. International Committee of Humanitarian Relief (ICHR) is taking care of management and tracing activities 7. Humanitarian Relief Society (HRS) is doing refugee related work Previously, SCILaid was providing shelters for refugees but it is finished now. I started to distribute food rations 6 months ago to the following camps along the border. 1. 12,000 refugees in Bagor Camp 2. 13,000 refugee in Nator Camp 3. 35,000 refugees in Parna Camp Therefore, SCILaid provided food to 60,000 beneficiaries in the camps. There are other 40,000 refugees in 2 other camps in Kohrna. SCILaid requires 1000 metric tonnes food per month for distribution and now ration are distributed biweekly. SCILaid is now considering moving to a monthly distribution schedule soon. UNFA provides rice, bean, and oil but SCILaid buys salt and sugar to add for ration. A local contractor, Ralem Company based in Mugla, a sea port town, is providing supplies. The contract between Ralem and SCILaid is near to end and the process of re-tendering is on the way. SCILaid expect to have a new supplier with a cheaper price for food. These foods are stocked in 2 stores owned by SCILaid: one is a big store of 2000 Sq. meter and situated at Mugla Port. Another is a small one which has space of 500 Sq. meters but it is sufficient to store food temporarily before sending them to the camps.

In terms of transportation, SCILaid Betaland has a vehicle fleet of 14 vehicles in which most are 4 x 4 trucks. Only 10 trucks are running in Chagong, whereas the remaining 4 are in the Capital, Dhetra. The government of Xrayland donated 4 Isuzu FS33 trucks to SCILaid Betaland but these trucks consume fuel so high. But fuel price in Betaland is just 0.5 $ per litre and SCILaid has a contract with Betagaz for fuel supply. Xrayland government also subsides the expenses of fuel and maintenance cost of these car. General road conditions in Betaland are quite workable and it needs just 2 days roundtrip between Mugla and Chagong and from Chagong to Camps we need only 1 day for roundtrip. It is difficult to reach to the camps in wet season if there are torrential downpours. Air transport is possible but there is only one international airport in Dhetra and one domestic airport in Chagong. It is supposed to be 3 flights per day between Dhetra and Chagong but it is not very regular. I know that Importation rule are strict in Betaland but SCILaid has tax exemption status for all emergency supplies. Recently, 2 generators donated by Epsilonland government are coming soon and I learn that the government of Xrayland also want to donate Wheat Soya Blend (WSB) to SCILaid Betaland. As far as I know, telecommunication is accessible in Betaland and both HF and VHF systems are working well in the area. But internet access is not 100% available here. As I have learnt from our logistics manual, disaster management and humanitarian responses can be categorized into five phases as follows: 1. Disaster Prevention (for Reduction of the vulnerability of societies to disasters) 2. Disaster Preparedness (for Preparation to response the potential crisis situation) 3. Emergency Relief (for Provision of the necessary aid to meet the immediate, short term needs of people affected by the specific disaster) 4. Reconstruction. (for re-building the damaged infrastructures) 5. Development (for long-term community development) SCILaids programme in Betaland is in its third stage, Emergency Relief, and it is running smoothly. but the present worry of SCILaid is that of an impending hurricane. There is an emergency plan to prepare for this hurricane and prepositions some important items (such as essential medicines, water purification tablets, latrine pans and pipes, roofing sheets and tents) for emergency. UNIRP is building some stock in Betaland and SCILaid is also stocking some important items in Epsilonland for emergency preparation. I will relate you more about our programme as I get more experiences and exposure in Betaland. Thank you so much for your kind support. Sincerely Yours, Aung Kyaw Moe

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