Community participation for village water management in cyclone affected areas in the Myanmar Delta | |
| Author | Ei Ei Khin |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.DM-11-04 |
| Subject(s) | Water-supply--Myanmar Cyclones--Myanmar |
| Note | A thesis submitted in pa1tial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. DM-11-04 |
| Abstract | Immediately after Nargis that hit Myanmar in early May 2008, many aid agencies including UN agencies, INGOs, local NGOs and other private and faith-based organizations entered the country to address urgent humanitarian needs including water and sanitation issues. Although immediate water needs were somehow met, there seems to be some issues on sustainability especially in the area of maintenance and proper operation of water facilities and water management systems in the affected areas. So other initiatives such as installation of stronger water points, formalization of water committees with defined roles and responsibilities, introducing new technology in the existing water management system and capacity building of the water management committees on operation and maintenance are being carried out by the aid agencies. However, for all these to be sustainable, community's genuine pat1icipation in water management system is very important. This study attempts to comprehend the existing water management problems in the study areas particularly on the community participation as well as the factors influencing the community's participation in the rural water management system. It also seeks to explore possible ways to mobilize community to get involved in the community managed cyclone disaster resilient water system more effectively. The findings of this research indicated that though there have been some improvements in availability of water over the past two years, the water situation in terms of quantity and availability has not yet returned to preNargis situation. Water available in summer for the two villages is considered not enough. The challenges still exist at both communal level and household level in terms of facility and availability. Due to water shortage problem in dry season, the community still have to rely on summer water distribution provided by the aid agency. Hygiene promotion activities are found to be weak with not much participation from the community. On the part of the community participation, the findings showed that among the factors influencing the participation of the target community, household income, mandatory labour contribution scheme and incentive/benefit (Cash for Work Scheme) are found to be the most prominent factors affecting the level of community participation of the different focused groups. The project main activities are found to be planned carefully according to the seasonal activities of the community which allowed them to participate in the project activities. Cash for Work (CFW) scheme for pond construction and renovation activities is considered to be the most desirable way of promoting community participation in a situation where there is a slump of household income. Participation of younger people in water management is found to be very low as compared to that of older generation. Based on the findings of the research, a set of recommendation is made for the improvement of community participation in water management system. It is hoped that the result of the research will be useful for the local authority, INGOs and other organizations who are engaged in community water management system using community pat1icipatory approach. It is also anticipated that the findings of the research is useful for other programs or planners who are working on participatory development programs in rural areas in Myanmar. |
| Year | 2011 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. DM-11-04 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Management (DM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Clemente, Roberto S.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Sutat Weesakul;Shrestha, Rajendra Prasad; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2011 |