BURMA: POST NARGIS BOGALE - DOWN BUT NOT OUT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 RANGOON 000540 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP, PRM, DRL STATE ALSO PASS TO USAID AID/W FOR DCHA/FFP AND DCHA/OTI AID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA KLUU, ACONVERY, RTHAYER BANGKOK FOR DCHA/OFDA TROGERS KATHMANDU FOR DCHA/OFDA SMCINTYRE AND MROGERS USMISSION GENEVA FOR NKYLOH USMISSION USUN FOR FSHANKS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: BM EAID SENV KSCA TBIO VM EAGR PREF SUBJECT: BURMA: POST NARGIS BOGALE - DOWN BUT NOT OUT REF: RANGOON 532 AND PREVIOUS RANGOON 00000540 001.4 OF 003 SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) On a recent three-day trip to the delta, rural cyclone victims in Bogale township told us that they most needed cash to help re-establish their livelihoods. All three of the villages we visited suffered extensive damage as a result of Nargis, but had begun rebuilding on their own. The villagers said that most of the goods they needed were available on the market, it was capital that they lacked. Local residents reported that the regime had not adequately met their needs since the cyclone. Additionally, while they appreciated the aid community's efforts to send them supplies, storm victims informed us that some of the items they received were not useful. Victims we spoke with believe they are in a better position to procure what they need to rebuild their communities. Prior to Nargis, many of the villagers we met had taken out, and repaid, micro-credit loans from the NGO Pact, and nearly all expressed a desire to do so again. Pact officials told us they were prepared to make more loans, but needed to be recapitalized in order to do so. ¶2. (SBU) A USAID/OFDA officer, poloff and local staff member from Embassy Rangoon traveled to Bogale township from July 1 to 3. The team visited Bogale town and the villages of Kapanan, Kyipinsu, and Ywarthit. DOWN BUT NOT OUT -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Our team visited three villages in Bogale township that fell in the path of Cyclone Nargis. In all, we met with over 200 villagers whose communities had suffered extensive damage as a result of the cyclone. Many told us they had lost family members, and nearly all reported the storm either destroyed or significantly damaged their homes. The residents we met also complained that neither the regime nor the international aid community had adequately provided for their needs since the cyclone. Despite this, the communities we visited had begun to rebuild on their own, and could articulate exactly what they needed to finish the job. 
¶4. (SBU) When asked, cyclone victims told us that they most needed cash to help re-establish their livelihoods. Some were farmers, some fishermen, and others owned small businesses. Most did not own their own land, but worked for those who did. Each reported a different use for the cash they needed. Farmers would buy seeds and farm equipment, fishermen needed nets and boats, and retailers wanted to repair and restock their stores. But no matter what the specific use, the villagers pointed out that nearly all of what they needed was available on the market, provided they had the cash to purchase it. During our three-day visit, we observed active wholesale and retail markets selling a wide-variety of goods in Bogale. The NGO Pact and others active in the delta noted that merchants, businessmen, and entrepreneurs were delivering and selling supplies needed to meet local demand both in Bogale and Labutta townships. ¶5. (SBU) The villagers we met expressed appreciation for the efforts of the UN and NGO community to procure and deliver what aid workers believed were essential goods, but lamented that much had not been useful. For example, tarps were too hot and could not withstand the wind. Many tools in shelter reconstruction kits were RANGOON 00000540 002.4 OF 003 not suited for use with bamboo. Because each person's specific needs were different, and appropriate goods were available locally, the villagers stressed that they were in a better position to procure what they needed and asked us to help them do so with cash. ¶6. (SBU) Affected residents acknowledged that the regime had made efforts to assist them, but described those efforts as inadequate. All three villages we visited had received seeds from the government, contrary to reports the regime had limited distributions to large landowners. However, residents complained that they did not get enough seeds to plant in all available fields. Some farmers had been given mechanical tillers to replace the draught animals lost in the storm. But at least one local farmer confided to us that the government-provided tillers needed major repairs before they would work. The local healthcare provider in one village informed us that government mobile health teams had visited every 15 days since the storm. Many residents said they had not sought treatment from the teams, however, without explanation. MICROFINANCE -------------- ¶7. (SBU) While in Bogale, we met with workers from Pact, a US-based NGO that has run a microfinance program in the delta since 1997. Since its inception, Pact has provided small loans to over 100,000 residents of the delta, over 50,000 of whom live in the three most cyclone-affected townships. Pact officials told us the size of the average loan was approximately 150,000 kyat (US$ 130). Borrowers used this money to improve their businesses and livelihoods. Over 80 percent of the over 200 residents we met had taken out a Pact loan before the cyclone and nearly all reported they would do so again, if the program were available. ¶8. (SBU) Since the cyclone, Pact has decided to forgive the repayment of loans in the three most affected townships. As of early May, there were approximately USD 2.8 million in outstanding loans that Pact planned to forgive. Additionally, as part of its lending program, Pact created savings accounts for borrowers and has permitted them to withdraw approximately 60 percent of these savings since the cyclone. As a result of the loan forgiveness and savings withdrawals, Pact no longer has the capital to continue its microfinance program, despite the greater demand in the community. Pact has requested financial assistance from the donor community to recapitalize their lending program (see septel). COMMENT -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Despite the devastation wrought by Nargis, the residents of Bogale township have taken the initiative to begin rebuilding their communities. Far from helpless victims, the local residents we met were sophisticated enough to know what they needed and resolute enough to get the job done. Residents repeatedly and clearly told us that cash, not commodities, will do them the most good. Local markets are functioning and an infusion of capital would allow affected families to procure the specific goods they need to re-start their livelihoods. The Than Shwe regime has shown little interest or ability to meet the needs of the cyclone's victims. While well intentioned, some of the efforts of the aid community to procure commodities on behalf of these communities have not been appropriately tailored to the victims' needs. Inherent efficiencies of the local markets that are functioning throughout the delta should be used to correct these problems. We recommend RANGOON 00000540 003.4 OF 003 funding NGOs like Pact to get capital into these devastated communities through microfinance programs. By doing so we will help the Burmese people help themselves. VILLAROSA