------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: October 26, 1995 Issue #261 Noted in Passing: SLORC cannot pledge to support the UN and at the same time claim it has the right to ignore the will of the Burmese people, as well as the will of the international community, because the situation in Burma is an 'internal affair'. - NCGUB Press Statement (quoted in BKK POST: BURMESE WELCOME JUNTA'S PROMISE TO SUPPORT UN) HEADLINES: ========== U.S. STATE DEPTMENT: TRAVEL INFORMATION - BURMA (Myanmar) BKK POST: BURMESE WELCOME JUNTA'S PROMISE TO SUPPORT UN NATION: RANGOON SET TO DELEGATES FOR MEKONG GATHERING NATL GEOGRAPHIC: - LETTER IN RESPONSE TO JULY 1995 PIECE UNHCR REPORT: RETURN TO "MYANMAR" Produced with the support of the Burma Information Group (B.I.G) and the Research Department of the ABSDF {MTZ} The BurmaNet News is an electronic newspaper covering Burma. Articles from newspapers, magazines, newsletters, the wire services and the Internet as well as original material are published. The BurmaNet News is e-mailed directly to subscribers and is also distributed via the soc.culture.burma and seasia-l mailing lists and is also available via the reg.burma conference on the APC networks. For a free subscription to the BurmaNet News, send an e-mail message to: majordomo@igc.apc.org In the body of the message, type "subscribe burmanet-l" (without quotation marks) Letters to the editor, comments or contributions of articles should be sent to the editor at: strider@igc.apc.org ------------------------------------------------------------- INFORMATION ABOUT BURMA VIA THE WEB AND GOPHER: Information about Burma is available via the WorldWideWeb at: FreeBurmaWWW http://sunsite.unc.edu/freeburma/freeburma.html [including back issues of the BurmaNet News as .txt files] BurmaWeb: http://www.uio.no/tormodl Burma fonts: http://www.cs.bham.ac.uk/~lka/burmese-fonts/moe.html Ethnologue Database(Myanmar): http://www-ala.doc.ic.ac.uk/~rap/Ethnologue/eth.cgi/Myanmar TO ACCESS INFORMATION ABOUT BURMA VIA GOPHER: gopher csf.colorado.edu. Look under the International Political Economy section, then select Geographic Archive, then Asia, then Burma. ---------------------------------------------------------- BURMANET SUBJECT-MATTER RESOURCE LIST BurmaNet regularly receives enquiries on a number of different topics related to Burma. If you have questions on any of the following subjects, please direct email to the following volunteer coordinators, who will either answer your question or try to put you in contact with someone who can: Arakan/Rohingya/Burma- Michael W. Charney: GoMaha@aol.com Bangladesh Border Campus activism: tlandon@ewu.edu Boycott campaigns: [Pepsi] wcsbeau@superior.ccs.carleton.ca Buddhism: Buddhist Relief Mission: brelief@gol.com Chin history/culture: plilian@asc.corp.mot.com Fonts: tom@cs.colgate.edu History of Burma: zni@students.wisc.edu Kachin history/culture: 74750.1267@compuserve.com Karen history/culture: Karen Historical Society: 102113.2571@Compuserve.com Mon history/culture: [volunteer needed] Naga history/culture: Wungram Shishak: z954001@oats.farm.niu.edu Burma-India border [volunteer needed] Pali literature: "Palmleaf": c/o burmanet@igc.apc.org Shan history/culture: [volunteer needed] Shareholder activism: simon_billenness@mail.cybercom.net Tourism campaigns: bagp@gn.apc.org "Attn. S.Sutcliffe" World Wide Web: FreeBurma@POBox.com Volunteering: christin@ksc.net.th [Feel free to suggest more areas of coverage] ************************ U.S. STATE DEPTMENT: TRAVEL INFORMATION - BURMA (Myanmar) from tmyint@cluster.ucs.indiana.edu ============================================================ Burma (Myanmar) - Consular Information Sheet October 19, 1995 Country Description: Burma, renamed Myanmar in 1989, experienced major political unrest in 1988. Conditions are stable under a military government except in remote border areas where longstanding insurgencies persist. Entry Requirements: Travel to and within Burma is strictly controlled by that country's government. A passport and visa is required. Tourist visas are issued for package/group tours as well as to foreign individual tourists ("FITS") for stays of up to four weeks. Burmese visas may be issued at the point of entry to certain individual tourists and group travelers. "FITS" must exchange a minimum of $300 for dollar denominated foreign exchange certificates upon arrival. Information about entering Burma via land borders as well as other information may be sought from the Burmese Embassy (Embassy of the Union of Myanmar), 2300 S Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008 (202)332-9044/6), or the Permanent Mission of Myanmar to the U.N., 10 East 77th St., New York, N.Y. 10021 (212-535-1311). Areas of Instability: Travel to main tourist areas of Pagan, Inle Lake and the Mandalay area is routine. Travel to other parts of Burma is possible, although transportation is difficult. Visiting destinations such as Kyaiktiyo, Moulemein, and Myitkyina may require advance permission from authorities, which takes several days to arrange in Rangoon. Those destinations requiring permission are subject to change without advance notice. Unauthorized travelers may be stopped and harassed by security personnel and turned around. Some persons traveling to places where permission is not expressly required have also reported delays, including temporary detention by local security personnel. Others report being able to travel freely. Obtaining advance permission to certain destinations does not guarantee ability to travel, which is ultimately at the discretion of Burmese military intelligence. There has been one reported guerrilla attack in the vicinity of Kanbauk (Tenasserim) in the vicinity of a planned gas pipeline. Southern Shan State is the scene of occasional fighting between the government forces and Shan United Army (MTA). There has also been recent fighting by other groups in the Thai-Burma border region, and travelers may obtain updated information from the U.S. Embassy at Rangoon. The Tachilek border area, at which border crossings are sometimes permitted, is a potential site for fighting. Even inadvertently crossing the border elsewhere may result in danger. Medical Facilities: Hospital and medical services are available in Rangoon. Elsewhere, medical care is limited. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including provision for medical evacuation, has proven useful. The international travelers hotline at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can be reached at (404) 332-4559 for additional useful health information. Information on Crime: Security in tourist areas is generally good. Lost or stolen passports should be reported to local police and the U.S. Embassy. The level of violent crime and crime against property is low. There are occasional reports of pickpocketing. Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad." It is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Drug Penalties: Travelers are subject to the laws and legal practices of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict and possible sentences include stiff jail terms and fines or the death penalty. Currency: Foreign Exchange Certificates (FEC) are de facto exchangeable for Burmese Kyat at market rates. FEC are required by foreigners for the payment of plane and most train tickets and most hotels. Kyat are accepted for most other transactions. It is possible to purchase FEC with some credit cards at the Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank in Rangoon. Although money changers may approach travelers to offer to change dollars into Kyat at the market rate, it is illegal to exchange foreign currency except at authorized locations such as the airport, banks and government stores. Other Information: Roads are poor in Burma. Trains are uncomfortable and not always punctual. Photographing persons in uniform or any military installation is discouraged by Burmese authorities. Customs regulations are restrictive and strictly enforced. Registration: Americans who register at the U.S. Embassy may obtain updated information on travel and security within the country. Embassy Location: The U.S. Embassy is located at 581 Merchant Street, Rangoon. The telephone number is (95-1) 82055. No. 95-130 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated April 6, 1995 to update information on entry, areas of instability, and currency restrictions. ******************** BKKPOST: BURMESE WELCOME JUNTA'S PROMISE TO SUPPORT UN October 25, 1995 THE Burmese government-in-exile has welcomed the junta's renewed commitment to the UN and pledge of cooperation made at the General Assembly in New York. But the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma called on the State Law and Order Restoration Council to live up to its promises. "SLORC cannot pledge to support the UN and at the same time claim it has the right to ignore the will of the Burmese people, as well as the will of the international community, because the situation in Burma is an 'internal affair'," it said in a statement released by its New York office on Monday. "Neither can General Maung Aye (SLORC vice-chairman) claim that to maintain international peace and security, the UN should not 'interfere' in Burma's 'internal affairs'. "The UN secretary-general has stated in his Agenda for Peace that security does not just mean lack of military threat. Human rights violations, poverty, humanitarian crises and natural disasters also threaten international peace and security. The current situation in Burma and SLORC's refusal to address the problems is beginning to threaten regional security. Given SLORC's professed commitment to the UN, the NCGUB calls on the international community to require SLORC to live up to its obligations. Since 1991 the UN Commission on Human Rights and the UNGA have consistently passed resolutions calling on the SLORC to honour the results of the 1990 elections, to accelerate the pace of democratisation and to improve human rights. Also since 1994, the UN secretary-general has been trying to engage in a dialogue with the SLORC about human rights in order to facilitate dialogue between the military and pro-democracy groups, but to no avail. ***************************************************************** NATION: RANGOON SET TO SELECT DELEGATES FOR MEKONG GATHERING October 25, 1995 by Yindee Lertcharoenchok THE Burmese Cabinet will today confirm .membership for its delegation to the fifth ministerial meeting of the six Mekong nations, organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). A senior Burmese official, who participated in the Oct 22-24 Greater Mekong Subregion Summit in Bangkok, said he did not know who will lead this year's delegation, but Lt Gen David Abel, minister for planning, headed the previous delegation. Ministers from the six Mekong countries _ Burma, Cambodia, China, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam _ will meet on Nov 9-10 at the ADB headquarters in Manila to discuss project priorities in various sectors which have been identified and proposed by each member state and the ADB. Since 1992, the ADB and Mekong basin countries have been working out priority projects in various areas of cooperation such as energy production, tourism, telecommunications and infrastructure. The Burmese official, from the Myanmar Investment Commission, declined to identify what Burma's priorities are, but said the much-talked about Salween hydropower project is under the jurisdiction of the energy ministry. He said several private companies have expressed interest in doing feasibility studies on the project, but so far none has been allowed to do so. The official added that he did not know if his country would send a delegation of senior-level officials to attend the Mekong River Commission's "exploratory meeting" early next month in Ho Chi Minh City. So far only the lower Mekong nations _ Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam _ have signed the Agreement on Cooperation for Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin. This agreement, signed on April 5, gave birth to the Mekong River Commission (MRC), which replaced the original Mekong Committee established in 1957. Burma and China, the two upper Mekong countries, have yet to sign the agreement and join the Commission, a body set up to oversee cooperation among the Mekong countries. China recently expressed its desire to join the commission. ****************************** NATL GEOGRAPHIC: - LETTER IN RESPONSE TO JULY 1995 PIECE ON BURMA November 1995 In painting a true picture of conditions in this resource-rich land driven to poverty by a repressive regime, you have taken a giant stride. This should encourage tourists to shy away from Burma, where dollars spent only entrench the generals. By the way, you say that the Padaung women's neck rings (page 96) are "added one at a time from childhood." Actually, two rods of brass and gold alloy are coiled around a girl's neck, with a break at about the seventh rung above the clavicle to permit head mobility. As the girl grows taller, larger sets of coils replace outgrown ones. U Kyaw Win Laguna Hills, California ***************************************** UNHCR REPORT: RETURN TO "MYANMAR" Report Date: June, 1995 From: brelief@gol.com (Ken and Visakha Kawasaki) BRC--J would like to thank Ruth Marshall of UNHCR for replying so promptly and for sending this report to BRC -- J. We'd heard about it since June but believe it is important to read in its entirety. (A minor point -- does anyone know anything about "Bridge Asia Japan"?) We found the report extremely troubling to put it mildly. We are surprised at how sanguinely international organizations and experts treat SLORC as a normal bureaucracy. Mightn't this report also have grave implications for the Mon and Karen? ********* UNHCR Information Bulletin -- June 1995 Produced by UNHCR Press Office Tel: (41- 22) 739 85 02 Returning to Rakhine It is, currently, the largest organized repatriation in Asia, and among the largest in the world. At a rate of more than 10,000 persons per month over the past year, the Muslim refugees who fled from Myanmar in late 1991 and early 1992 are returning home from their exile in Bangladesh. Barely one year into the voluntary repatriation program, more than half of the 250,000 refugees have returned. (In addition, nearly 55,000 people returned prior to UNHCR's involvement in the repatriation). Only 55,000 people remain in camps in Bangladesh. UNHCR actively promotes the voluntary repatriation of the refugees, and has free and full access to returnees in villages across Myanmar's Rakhine State. The closure of 11 of Bangladesh's 20 camps for Myanmar refugees has gradually removed a presence that had become commonplace along the Cox's Bazaar - Teknaf road. Meanwhile, across the Naf River, in Myanmar, returnees have resumed their lives in Rakine State. UNHCR, the World Food Program and two partner nongovernmental organizations (Action Internationale Contre la Faim and Bridge Asia Japan) design and implement small - scale projects to facilitate the reintegration of returnees, by improving services for them and for local communities. Repatriation of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh began, on a very limited scale, in September 1992, without UNHCR's active involvement. This movement was accomplished by considerable pressure from the Bangladesh authorities, who insisted that they could not give the refugees long-term asylum. Voluntary repatriation movements did not gain momentum until after the signing of an agreement between the Union of Myanmar and UNHCR on 5 November 1993, and the establishment of an operational UNHCR presence in Rakhine State in early 1994. Prior to UNHCR involvement on the Myanmar side, much of the camp population in Bangladesh was fearful of the conditions in their homeland. Once UNHCR established an effective presence aid the rights of returnees were manifestly being observed - voluntary repatriation began in earnest. large-scale movements were at first hampered by the devastating damage wrought by a powerful cyclone in May 1994, but major repatriation facilities were swiftly reconstructed, In mid- 1994, UNHCR replaced individual interviews with a mass voluntary repatriation - registration campaign, Over 90% of the refugees signed up to return. UNHCR informs the refugees about the situation in Myanmar through group and individual information sessions in the camps and broadcasts on the camp public - announcement system. Refugees are invited to register. They are free to opt out of any repatriation movement at any time, up to and including the actual border crossing point. In order to dispel any doubts about the voluntary character of the repatriation, UNHCR has decided that the final verification interviews with heads of family will take place in private. UNHCR is satisfied that any refugee who wishes to opt out of repatriation because of a valid claim to fear of persecution in Myanmar is free to do so. This is the case for an estimated 5,000 individuals who so far have chosen not to sign up for repatriation during the initial registration. In addition, a significant number have subsequently indicated that they do not wish to return - many of them for reasons of family situation or health. PROTECTION In addition to UNHCR's assistance to returnees, in the form of grants and small - scale reintegration projects, the most important role UNHCR undertakes in Myanmar is that of monitoring the reintegration and rights of returnees. UNHCR currently has 13 international staff in Maungdaw, two in Buthidaung, and four in Yangon, all of whom travel freely and extensively. When visiting villages -- whether to supervise small - scale projects or for specific protection purposes -- these staff monitor the situation of returnees. Queries that come form returnees who travel to UNHCR offices are also followed up by monitoring visits. A number of key protection issues continue to be the subject of dialogue with Myanmar authorities. Amnesty for returnees Illegal crossing of the border is punishable by imprisonment under Myanmar law. However, the Myanmar government has agreed not to apply these provisions to the repatriating refugees. Since then, UNHCR is not aware of any case where a returnee has been charged with violation of immigration laws. However approximately 45 returnees are currently in detention, some charges relating to membership of militant political groups. (Others have been arrested for criminal offenses committed prior to flight or after their return._ The Myanmar authorities inform UNHCR of the arrest of any returnees. Access to Returnees The government of Myanmar has given UNHCR staff and implementing partners free and unhindered access to all returnees, without official escort. UNHCR international staff, with interpreters, also have access to returnees under arrest or in detention, and try to ensure that they receive suitable legal assistance and living conditions. The families of returnees in detention may be eligible for additional food assistance from the World Food Program (WFP) Citizenship, Naturalization and Identity Documents Most of the Muslims of Rakhine State (around 700,000 people) are not entitled to citizenship under Myanmar's citizenship laws. UNHCR has extensively discussed this issue with the authorities, who state that Muslims may individually apply for associate or naturalized citizenship. However, Muslim leaders seek recognition as an indigenous race on a par with other ethnic groups. A very small number of returnees has so far applied for naturalization, and UNHCR will assist such applications. Non - national returnees live in Myanmar as foreign residents, with restricted freedom of movement. They are required to register with local authorities prior to travel and must obtain a travel permit, which is usually granted. Those few returnees who were citizens prior to their departure to Bangladesh have not lost their status, and are still in possession of all their civil rights. Any lost citizenship registration cards are being replaced by the Myanmar authorities, but this process is somewhat time - consuming, and UNHCR has been assisting those returnees who have lost their documents to obtain new ones. UNHCR has clearly established that all returnees need some kind of identity document. Myanmar's Immigration and Manpower Department (IMPD) issues all adult returnees, within two months of arrival, a Returnee Identity Card. Returnee families also receive a copy of a document known as the Family List, confirming that they reside lawfully in Myanmar. Land To date, virtually all returnees have been able to move back into their former homes and to regain any lands they previously cultivated. Where this has been problematic, UNHCR and local authorities have found land in the areas of former residence. However, most of the refugees are laborers who never had access to cultivation land, and this has not changed on their return. Many therefore remain extremely poor, particularly during the dry season, when cultivation work is rare. UNHCR's small - scale projects and WFP's Food For Work projects can hope to bring only short - term economic improvement. Only large - scale, long - term development programs will durably improve the lives of returnees and local communities alike. Physical Abuse and Extortion UNHCR intervenes in cases of reported physical abuse or extortion. So far UNHCR is only aware of two instances - where returnees have suffered physical abuse by the author- ities. In both cases, UNHCR intervention resulted in the authorities introducing measures to ensure that such incidents would not he repeated. In one case, disciplinary measures were taken against the responsible officials, who were subsequently transferred out of the area. Allegations have been reported concerning forced contraception of Muslim women by local authorities implementing the government's birth - spacing program in Rakhine state. UNHCR has raised the issue with the authorities, who have given assurances that the program was never intended to result in forced contraception, and in no way specifically targeted Muslim women. UNHCR is in the process of setting up and funding a voluntary birth spacing program, to begin operating in the course of 1995. Reports of extortion of returnees have been passed on to authorities, who have taken decisive action to stop the practice in a number of cases. Compulsory Labor Onerous forced labor, particularly military porterage, was one of the main reasons for the exodus of Muslim residents to Bangladesh in 1991 and 1992. Hence UNHCR Myanmar has focused on the issue from the very outset of the operation in northern Rakhine State. However, compulsory labor continues to be a nation - wide practice in Myanmar. UNHCR has intervened repeatedly on the question of returnees being called for compulsory labor, and feels it has succeeded in reducing significantly the burden for both the local population and the returnees. The authorities have agreed to limit compulsory labor in Rakhine State to a maximum of four days of work from every family per month. Vulnerable Groups UNHCR pays special attention to problems faced by members of vulnerable groups, which include unaccompanied minors, single women, households headed by women, and people who are elderly, physically or mentally disabled or clinically ill and who lack family support. UNHCR Bangladesh registers members of vulnerable groups and provides the UNHCR field team in Maungdaw with detailed information. WFP then makes additional food rations available to the individuals concerned. UNHCR has helped design a number of small scale projects specifically intended to improve assistance and reintegration for these vulnerable groups. Several of these projects are implemented by the Myanmar Red Cross Society, with the support of two delegates from the International Federation of the Red Cross. The Myanmar Red Cross is responsible for monitoring and assisting vulnerable families in their onward movement from reception centers and in their home villages. Going home Once refugees register to go home, and have been certified as former residents of Rakhine State, Bangladesh camp officials schedule their departure. Family unity is a priority for UNHCR, particularly for minors and families headed by women. Whenever possible, efforts are made to allow relatives and neighbors to travel together, to foster a sense of security and mutual support. Returnees are medically examined. Vulnerable people -- the handicapped, elderly, unaccompanied children and single women - are offered suitable arrangements, and repatriation is postponed for women in the final stage of pregnancy until 40 days after childbirth. On the eve of their departure from Bangladesh, returnees receive repatriation kits containing a two week food rations per person, cooking utensils, clothing, sleeping mats, blankets. plastic sheets, jerry -cans and kerosene lanterns. In the early morning hours of the departure day, returnees and their belongings are transported by truck to one of two departure points, where they receive one last medical check and have their documents reviewed. Returnees load family belongings on flatbed rescue boats with a capacity of 40 persons. They board the boats wearing life-jackets - for the 30 minute - crossing. (A few refugees make the journey overland). On arrival in Myanmar, each returnee receives a repatriation grant of 2,000 Kyats (about US $20), and an additional grant of 100 Kyats to cover transport to the village of origin. In addition. each returnee family is given a family grant of 2,000 Kyats, to help them repair or rebuild their homes. Through the Myanmar Relief Department, the World Food Program provides all returnees with ready cooked meals during their stay in reception facilities. WFP also distributes two - month rations of rice, beans, oil and salt to all returnees. In addition, returnees who repatriated before May 1994 - with- out the help of UNHCR and WFP -- have subsequently been issued the 2000 Kyat individual repatriation and family housing grants. Reintegration UNHCR's reintegration program aims to improve and stabilize the situation of returnees and their host communities in Myanmar and thus minimize the likelihood of future mass flight. A series of small -scale projects have been implemented to reduce poverty while improving social facilities, such as education and health centers. However, UNHCR is not a long - term development agency. Its small -scale projects (also known as Quick Impact Projects, or QIPs) are most effective as a bridge between short - term emergency needs and long-term development. Ultimately, the success of UNHCR's reintegration program in Myanmar will rest on how effectively UNHCR can pass on the baton to local and international development agencies. Most of UNHCR's small - scale projects are located in the townships of Maungdaw and Buthidaung, where the majority of the returnees reside. The four returnee - receiving townships, including Sittwe and Rathidaung, have been broken down into six geographical areas, each of which has been as- signed one UNHCR field officer to coordinate reintegration projects. The struggle to improve the lives of returnees and local communities is particularly crucial in the field of health. Whereas in one camp in Bangladesh, them was one doctor for every 1,600 refugees, in the Maungdaw and Buthidaung areas of Myanmar the ratio is closer to one per 100,000. To try to meet this challenge, UNHCR has renovated Maungdaw Township Hospital and purchased an ambulance. It has renovated the main hospital in Buthidaung, constructed a new water - supply system, purchased a water pump and supplied new furniture. Equipment to improve immunization programs - such as new freezers and generators - has been delivered, and the medical staff in Maungdaw and Buthidaung will soon be receiving boats, motorcycles and bicycles so that health workers can visit returnees' often remote villages. The majority of Rural Health Centers in the two townships will he renovated and basic medical equipment will be supplied. UNHCR is also helping to set up a health - education program, the region's first. Another major focus of the program is assistance to schools. UNHCR hopes in particular to attract more girls to school, and to strengthen the authorities' to better quality and coverage of education. Only about 15% of school - age children in the main returnee areas actually attend state schools. Most primary school students enroll in Koranic schools, which typically feature a two - hour daily class imparting no literacy or numeracy skills. Schools are often antiquated and lack sufficient class rooms, furniture, textbooks and basic sanitation facilities. Classes may include as many as 80 children. Junior teachers are often untrained graduates. Over 90% of area residents are illiterate. Clearly, without UNHCR's help in renovating structures and improving facilities, the schools of Rakhine State would be wholly unprepared to welcome and educate thousands of new pupils. Currently, UNHCR is renovating 41 schools prior to the rainy season, and providing supplies to a number of others. Only if there are major improvements in the lives of Rakhine's often desperately poor village communities can UNHCR hope to anchor the returnees. By the end of the dry season in 1995, 291 brick - lined wells will have been built. 151 ponds repaired and 96 school and hospital latrines constructed - all UNHCR small - scale projects. Village communities have mostly organized themselves to execute these simple model projects, using local craftsmen and minimal outside skills. Standard project modules include brick- lined wells, small bridges and village ponds. Reservoirs are created through the construction of low earthen dams to store water for irrigation - or village water supply These arc no larger than 4.5 meters - not sufficient to irrigate rice, but requiring little engineering in- put or maintenance. As for school renovation, UNHCR provides 80% of funding - 400 Kyats for every 100 raised by a community -- and the community organizes itself to do the work according to modules laid out by UNHCR. Most projects are implemented by village development committees that have been set up at the request of UNHCR to represent returnees and other villagers. (Despite UNHCR's requests, the representation of women is low to non-existent). They are usually overseen by UNHCR's main implementing partner, Myanmar's Immigration and Manpower Department (INWD). The Myanmar authorities recently agreed to permit limited use of local and international NGOs, a move that will further improve UNHCR's ability to implement small - scale projects for reintegration. Currently, IMPD has undertaken a wide range of projects. Action Internationale Contre la Faim works chiefly in water and sanitation, and the Myanmar Red Cross runs a number of community services. In addition, the World Food Program has set up Food - For - Work projects to build 150 village ponds, 80 village wells, and a number of road embankments for rural earth roads. These projects generally employ a village's poorest residents, including women, half the beneficiaries are returnees. In addition to the food tickets and rations that are distributed to vulnerable individuals, many agricultural projects are targeted at single mothers and other vulnerable groups. Courses in raising poultry, goats and cows, tailoring, or growing fruit or nut trees, are of particular interest for women who may have experience in growing vegetables but have little experience in generating income. UNHCR's reintegration program mainly focuses on transport, water, sanitation, health, community services and education. Most of the projects are related to the repair and construction of facilities and the provision of equipment and materials. More complex projects requiring specific technical inputs and training -- including the establishment of organizations able to provide loans, grants and ongoing vocational training - will be planned during the 1995 rainy season, for initial implementation during the next work -- plan. UNHCR is in discussions with other agencies with a longer - term perspective on development, to ensure that these reintegration projects receive effective follow-up. Food for Work The World Food Program's first Food - for - Work projects started in December 1994, in a somewhat cautious and experimental frame of mind. Since then, the pace has quickened considerably. During April 1995, for example, Food - for - Work activities included the construction of 4.5 kilometers of village roads and the enlargement pf 20 water storage ponds. By the end of that month, Food - for - Work projects had helped build 23 roads with a combined length of 18.5 kilometers. They had facilitated the enlargement of 14 ponds, for an increase of water storage capacity by 11,600 cubic meters. The total quantity of food utilized for these projects comes to 232 tons of rice and 14 tons of palm oil: less than one - tenth of the food - for - work requested by WFP in the Joint UNHCR/WFP appeal for repatriation and reintegration. Road - building and pond - enlargement are difficult enterprises during the monsoon season, which gets underway in June -- partly because of the weather and partly because the people of Rakhine State are preoccupied with plowing and planting rice. Along with UNHCR, WFP will set up projects to supply food as incentives to trainers and students participating in public health education and literacy programs, designed to assist primarily women and children. Roads and ponds will be back come November. Ending a cycle of exodus UNHCR's program to repatriate and reintegrate refugees in Rakhine State has produced results that were previously unthinkable. In addition to 22 expatriates and 66 local staff in Bangladesh, the presence of 25 international officers and 40 local staff in Myanmar has not only facilitated the return of refugees in conditions of safety and dignity, but has fostered a sense of security and confidence. UNHCR is satisfied that there is no discrimination against returnees in Myanmar, and that UNHCR's presence and access can ensure the safety of those who repatriate. But these hard - won gains remain fragile, and many of the returnees are still extremely poor. Although UNHCR does hope to maintain a presence in Rakhine State for some time to come, the task of 'anchoring' the returnees cannot be undertaken by UNHCR alone. With the generous support of the international community and the sustained and active involvement of other UN organizations, UNHCR hopes to contribute further to the improvement of the lives of all Rakhine's residents -- and thus put an end to a damaging cycle of mass displacement and suf- fering. Without funding. this program cannot attain its goals. *******************