Progress Report

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From the People of Japan PROGRESS REPORT

The Programme for Emergency Assistant0 to Poor and Vulnerable

Community in Ethnic Minority Areas and Yangon

The Programme for Emergency Assistant to Poor and Vulnerable Community in Ethnic Minority Areas and Yangon

PROGRESS REPORT

CONTENTS

COMPONENT ONE: LOW-COST HOUSING 5 1. Introduction 5 2. Objective 6 3. Programme components 6 4. Progress report coverage 7 5. Background 8 6. Project components 8 6.1 Community Mobilization 10 6.2 Beneficiary selection 10 6.2.1 Beneficiary selection criteria 10 6.2.2 Selected beneficiaries 10 6.2.3 Formation of AUC and IAUC 11 6.2.4 Allotment of apartment building and apartment units 11 6.2.5 Community Implementation Agreements (CIAs) 11 6.2.6 Additional support 12 7. Construction 12 7.1 Buildings under construction 12 7.2 Progress up to date 12 7.3 Challenges 15 7.4 Conclusion and Recommendation 15 COMPONENT 2: COMMUNITY WORKS 16 8. Building on experience 16

9. Target geographic areas and beneficiaries 16 10. Agreed actions 18 10.1 Community mobilization 18 10.2 Community engagement 18 10.3 Gender mainstreaming 19 11. Activities Undertaken during the Program 19 11.1 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion 20 11.2 Community infrastructure 20 11.3 Capacity building and training 23 12. Monitoring and Evaluation 23 13. Challenges 24 14. Lessons Learnt 24 15. Recommendations for future interventions 24 16. Expenditure 5

ABBREVIATIONS

AUC Apartment Users’ Committee CIA Community Implementation Agreements DHUD Department of Housing and Urban Development DSA Daily Subsistence Allowance DRD Department of Rural Development IDP Internally Displaced People KIA Kachin Independence Army VDC Village Development Committee WASH Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Education WFW Women for the World YCDC Yangon City Development Committee

The Programme for Emergency Assistant to Poor and Vulnerable Community in Ethnic Minority Areas and Yangon

PROGRESS REPORT

1. Introduction The Programme for Emergency Assistance to Poor and Vulnerable Community in Ethnic Minority Areas and Yangon is aimed at supporting vulnerable people in communities that have been experiencing a series of socio-economic setbacks due to conflicts, repeated natural disasters and extreme weather conditions in the Mansi and Momauk Townships of Kachin State, Pekon Township in Shan State, as well as Dagon Seikkan Township in Yangon Region. Armed conflict has severely affected ethnic communities in Myanmar in recent years. In Kachin State, many people were displaced from their homes due to armed conflict, and are accommodated in Internally Displaced People (IDP) camps or other host communities. In addition, Myanmar ranks first on UN-OCHA’s list of most at-risk Asia-Pacific countries in 2012, with an increasing trend in medium to large scale events, particularly those associated with hydro-meteorological hazards such as floods, cyclone, flashfloods as well as earthquakes. Meanwhile, Myanmar lacks capacity for adequate planned responses to such emergencies and disasters, and hence response is often slow and inadequate. This project addressed the unmet emergency needs of the most affected poor people in conflict-affected communities, as well as people who are at higher level of disaster risk exposure. The project consisted of two components, the first involving low-cost housing construction targeted towards people living in squatter conditions in a flood-prone area of Yangon; and the second focusing on community infrastructure and WASH, targeted towards the most poor and vulnerable communities in conflict affected and disaster-prone areas of Kachin and Shan States. The second component was completed in July 2016.

2. Objective This project was framed within the overall objective of helping Myanmar’s poor and vulnerable communities affected by conflicts and natural disasters to address their emergency needs to restore their normal life, and to sustainably improve quality of life through the restoration of shelter, water supply, sanitation and community infrastructure, as well as housing construction.

3. Programme components The project consisted of two main components, as described below. Component one: emergency support through housing construction to poor and vulnerable people living in squatter conditions in the impoverished Dagon Seikkan Township of Yangon. Low-cost individual housing construction methods are utilized, incorporating disaster resilient features to cope with disasters such as cyclones and flooding. A community-based, participatory and home-owner driven process is to be applied for housing construction and maintenance of homes after completion. Component two: emergency support to poor and vulnerable communities living in conflict and disaster-prone villages of Mansi and Momauk Township (Kachin State) and Pekkon Township (Shan State) to restore their normal lives and build resilience to future disasters through the improvement of community infrastructure and water and sanitation facilities, applying disaster risk reduction principles. Likewise, a community-driven approach was applied to this component to empower communities and build social cohesion.

4. Progress report coverage The present progress report is divided in two, the first part describes the ongoing component 1, and the second part describes the completed component 2 that ended on 31 July 2016.

COMPONENT LOW-COST HOUSING 1

5. Background Yangon has approximately 300,000 squatters, many from Ayerawady Region who arrived after Cyclone Nargis hit in 2008, and others from various rural areas that migrated to the former capital in search of job opportunities. After Hlainghthaya, Dagon Myo Thit (Seikkan), located in the eastern part of Yangon and originally planned as an industrial zone, ranks second in squatter population with over 50,000 squatters. Living conditions in these squatter settlements suffer from ov ercrowding, inadequate accommodation, limited access to clean water and sanitation, lack of proper waste disposal systems and deteriorating environment. UN-Habitat received funding from the Government of Japan to assist the Government of Myanmar addressing the problem of squatters through a pilot project to provide housing and basic facilities to most vulnerable families. In this context, a low cost housing project to serve 240 families in Dagon Seikkan with 12 numbers of 5 story buildings was planned for construction with minimum land use. Land was made available by the Myanmar government. The project is being implemented under the “People’s Process”, a participatory approach adopted by UN-Habitat, in which beneficiaries are involved in decision making processes and are considered major stakeholders in the implementation of After Hlainghthaya, Dagon Myo Thit the project. After finalization of beneficiary selection and designing of the (Seikkan), located in the eastern part of buildings, Apartment Users’ Committees (AUCs) were formed for each building, Yangon and originally planned as an and for common works such as compounds and other works, one Integrated Apartment Users’ Community (IAUC) was formed. industrial zone, ranks second in squatter population with over 50,000 squatters Although land for 12 buildings was allocated by the government, some part of land is still occupied by squatter families. As such, all 12 buildings could not be started at once and it was decided that construction would be initiated for only 6 out of the

7 Over 50,000 squatters 12 buildings where land was available. The beneficiaries also agreed on starting the construction of the 6 initial buildings, which would provide benefit to 120 families. The construction of second phase (remaining buildings) will take place after the government provides a new construction site. After a process of social mobilization and rigorous beneficiary selection, a Community Implementation Agreement (CIA) was signed between UN-Habitat and the respective Users’ Committees on 1 April, 2016 for the initial 6 buildings. The funds were planned to be disbursed in 4 installments to the AUCs/IAUC based on the progress of work, and contractors to be paid accordingly. Since, the scale of the project is large and capacity of the community to manage the construction limited, there was need to hire a contractor. UN-Habitat facilitated the process of hiring through an open bidding process. The bid evaluation was done by a committee represented by Department of Housing and Urban Development (DHUD), Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC), UN-Habitat and a design consultant, S&A Co Ltd. From the final evaluation, “Civil Tech Co. Ltd.” was selected to undertake the construction works. For the design and technical supervision, a design consultant was hired. The consultant carried out a detailed survey, soil investigation, construction design and cost estimating. The consultant is also supporting construction supervision and quality control. A contract signing ceremony took place on 1 May, 2016 in Dagon Seikkan between the IAUC on behalf of all beneficiaries, and the contractor “Civil Tech Co. Ltd.” with participation of Embassy of Japan, DHUD and YCDC. The design and supervision consultant “S&A Co. Ltd.”, as the contract manager representing the IAUC on technical matters concerning construction activities was also present, and signed as witness on the agreement. The contractor mobilized its human resources and equipment to the construction site and compound works immediately, and commenced the construction of the buildings. The project is expected to be completed within 6 months, not later than October 31, 2016.

6. Project components 6.1 Community Mobilization Local NGO Women for the World (WFW) worked as UN-Habitat’s partner to mobilize squatter communities in order to select project beneficiaries. WFW has already worked in Dagon Seikkan comissioned by DHUD to survey squatter settlements, therefore rapport between target communities and WFW was already established, which indeed benefited the project very much. During discussion between UN-Habitat and DHUD, it was agreed to identify beneficiaries within one mile of project site, however during implementation the project had to expand to five wards (168, 88, 68, 67 and 93) with squatter population within Dagon Seikkan.

BENEFICIARIES

260 households 699 people

334 365

6.2 Beneficiary selection 6.2.1 Beneficiary selection criteria Principles of criteria for beneficiary selection was throughout discussed among DHUD, WFW and UN-Habitat. Final criteria came from communities themselves. WFW mobilized targeted communities, township authorities, political parties, human rights activists, religious leaders, community elders, representatives of savings groups and local NGOs; all stakeholders were invited to series of work-shops and discussions to agree on beneficiary selection criteria. Stakeholders defined poorest families based on condition of housing assets, income, job stability, children’s education and availability to, income supporting relative (migration/remittance), and frequent movement from settlement to settlement (in many cases as a result of forced eviction). Stakeholders also discussed about approach to reach target beneficiaries directly. As a result of many sessions of discussion, beneficiary selection team was formed to develop questionnaire and template to collect data at target squatter settlements. The team developed beneficiary selection criteria format and scoring template based on information of survey and assessment. The final beneficiary selection criteria, developed and agreed by stakeholders, was submitted to UN-Habitat for revision and approval, UN-Habitat submitted it to DHUD for final endorsement.

6.2.2 Selected beneficiaries Beneficiaries’ selection team was divided in five groups to collect data of nine squatter communities in 5 wards. During beneficiary selecting process, fields visiting, focus group discussion, interviews and rapid assessment were conducted. Next steps were to compile all data (named application forms with content data from survey) in order to analyze it. Initially 1,324 households – measured against criteria – applied to become beneficiaries; all these 1,324 beneficiaries forms were scored based on a set scoring table, where 500 households were selected in the first round of data collection. Then these 500 households were interviewed door to door by the team directly to confirm data to be accurate. Application forms have been cross-checked in second round to select 260 out of 500 households (community mobilization had to identify 240 beneficiaries for 12 apartment buildings, and additionally 20 in case some of beneficiaries would drop out). Project orientation meeting was conducted to share project aim and objectives, building layout design, tenure, role of communities and participation, selection process, implementing, operations and maintenance of apartment buildings and compound. All 260 households were invited to participate of orientation meetings as well procedure, rules and regulations in order to make the project more effective, as well for beneficiaries to get actively involved during the project, always with the aim of achieving ownership, therefore sustainability. Beneficiaries participated actively and committed to be part of the project process.

6.2.3 Formation of AUC and IAUC Community meetings were conducted to allocate buildings and units to 220 households. WFW supported beneficiaries with leadership work-shops and importance of having committees to represent beneficiaries. Beneficiaries not only participated but also set rules and regulation of committees in order to have transparent and accountable governance. Beneficiaries selected committee members according the guidelines defined and agreed by themselves. Consequently, a committee for each building was formed named Apartment Users Committee (AUC), each committee with 5 members; beneficiaries also selected members of Integrated Apartment Users Committee (IAUC) to manage the project, the committee has 13 members.

6.2.4 Allotment of apartment building and apartment units Selected beneficiaries defined procedure, rules and regulations to allot building and apartment unit. Rules include that ground floor of every building will be allocated to households with disabilities, elderly and children younger than 10 years old. Beneficiaries also agreed to reside in the buildings with previous neighbors, saving group members, and family relations. Each building has 20 households (20 apartment units). A member of each building AUC was selected to represent the beneficiaries to choose building number, after number of building were assigned, beneficiaries choose apartment units. 6 AUC MEMBERS 6.2.5 Community Implementation Agreements (CIAs) All AUCs and IAUC signed a social contract, which means their commitment to the project and the people they represent. Following, all committees prepared – with support of WFW under UN- Habitat’s guidance – Community Implementation Agreements (CIAs), which is the legal 30 people instrument between UN-Habitat and beneficiaries to transfer funds. IAUC MEMBERS

13 people 6.2.6 Additional support WFW supported organizing saving groups; this activity will help beneficiaries to save money to implement development activities for their community, or any other activity communities identified as deem necessary. WFF provided several trainings on financial management, and these savings groups have been link with WFW’s saving groups network in Yangon. As well, WFW facilitated exposure work-shops and visit to housing project in other squatter settlements, this under WFW’s own projects. Furthermore, UN-Habitat is also planning experience sharing with committees of a water and sanitation project implemented in Shwe Pyi Thar (another squatter settlement of Yangon), which after four years of implementation has proven best example of sustainability.

7. Construction 7.1 Buildings under construction Initially, the low-cost housing project design was prepared for 12 buildings to accommodate 240 families of squatters, and provide them proper housing including water and sanitation facilities. However as stated earlier, it was agreed to build initially 6 buildings until land would be available for remaining buildings. The project includes housing facilities, electricity, proper latrines for each family, and running water in all apartments. Each family apartment includes one bedroom, a living space, kitchen/dining space and toilet/bath room. For proper operation and maintenance, AUCs and the IAUC will take a lead role in raising common operation and maintenance funds for each of the buildings and compound works. There will be a common fencing around the compound, and access road within the compound. Electrical connection will be provided to each building. For water supply, deep tube well drilling and a pumping system will be provided.

7.2 Progress up to date The construction of the buildings started immediately after signing of the contract with the contractor on 1 May, 2016. The project also organized stone laying ceremony with presence of Embassy of Japan, DHUD, YCDC and other stake holders.

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS IN THREE MONTHS

. Pile foundations, pile capping and tie beams (plinth beams) completed . Concreting of all 6 buildings up to 5th floor completed, and roofing work has started rd . Brick masonry walls are completed up to the 3 floor

. Cement plaster works (internal) completed up to 2nd floor 13 . Doors fitting works are under progress in some buildings

. All structural work were completed by the end of July

7.3 Challenges Below are major changes faced by the project: . The major challenge faced before starting the construction work was to avail the land for planned buildings. Some part of the land allocated by the government was occupied by squatters, and they were not ready to move. . The approval process to commence work took slightly more time than expected. . The rainy season started just after the completion of pile foundation, which also hindered the construction activities to some extent. . The access road to the site due to rain is not in working condition, and the contractor needed to open another route and repair the track. . First payment was delayed by two months, but the contractor continued work without mobilization of payment. At present, the milestone for the second payment is passed but still awaiting fund approval. . After a long period of waiting, the government has provided land informally in Dagon South about 5 kilometers from the ongoing site, where remaining buildings can be constructed. However, the process of approval from DUHD and YCDC will take significant time. Furthermore, there will be additional costs required for more fencing works and access road construction.

7.4 Conclusion and Recommendation Despite the above mentioned challenges, the construction works are going smoothly and are expected to be completed on stipulated time i.e. 31st October 2016. Overall progress of the construction activities is satisfactory, and quality of construction according to engineering norms and given standard has been maintained.

COMPONENT COMMUNITY WORKS 2 112 VILLAGES 30 Mansi 8. Building on experience The project was formulated building on the experiences of a completed Government of Japan- funded project in ethnic minority areas and impoverished communities affected by disasters. Prior experiences in these areas were qualitatively enhanced access to basic services, as well as the 29 Momauk improvement of livelihood opportunities. A community-driven approach has been applied, allowing the beneficiaries themselves to play an important role in identifying the issues they face and selecting activities that are considered a priority to the people and communities. Selected activities included the implementation of 53 Pekon community infrastructure, water and sanitation, hygiene education, cash-for-work activities, skills development and vocational trainings. The project placed a special focus on women and children in responding to unexpected disaster conditions; specifically, through promoting the active participation of women in community actions, the immediate recovery of their livelihoods and social activities after disasters, and BENEFICIARIES providing a safe and healthy environment for children in their everyday lives as well as in disaster conditions.

9. Target geographic areas and beneficiaries Direct 407,907 people The targeted areas were Mansi and Momauk Townships in southern Kachin State, and Pekon Township in southern Shan State. UN-Habitat partners with the Department of Rural Development (DRD) in executing its development projects. Project villages were selected in collaboration with the DRD upon thorough evaluation of their needs, to benefit the poorest and most vulnerable people.

Indirect 20,395 people

Mansi Township Mansi Township is situated in the south of Kachin State. It shares borders with China on the east, Bhamo Township on the west, Nankham Township on the south and Momauk Township on the north-east. Mansi Township is officially comprised of 40 village tracts, with a total of 225 villages. Armed conflict has frequently occurred between the military and ethnic armed groups, as well as among ethnic armed groups in the township since 2011. At present, the villagers in a total of 105 villages remain in their original locations, and others have either been moved into IDP camps or have fled to other places; another 50 villages are under government control. There are 9 IDP camps in the township. The project had no access to ethnic armed group control areas or IDP camps. Moreover, one of the project villages, Kyaw Hkaung Shan moved into an IDP camp after armed conflict in September of 2015. Therefore, the project in Mansi ended up working in 29 instead of the initially planned 30 villages.

Momauk Township Momauk Township is located in the southern side of Kachin State, and shares borders with China on the east, Bhamo Township on the west and Mansi Township on the south. As with Mansi, Momauk Township has also been experiencing arm conflict since 2011 forcing some villagers to move into IDP camps or flee. There are 19 IDP camps in Momauk. Some villages have a very small population of less than 20 households. Some have housing, but no inhabitants since all have been displaced due to armed conflict. Some villages are under Kachin Independence Army (KIA) control, and others under government control. Livelihoods in both Mansi and Momauk townships are dependent on wages from gold mines and other unskilled labour.

Pekon Township Pekon Township is located on the southern edge of Shan State. It is comprised of 13 village tracts, with a total of 214 villages. It is surrounded by Loikaw Township (Kayah State) on the southeast, Pinlaung Township on the north and Pyinmanar Township on the west. In Pekon Township, accessibility to project villages was very difficult, with some project villages located over 50 miles away from Pekon Town. People living in Pekon Township mostly depend on agricultural work. Due to lack of agricultural land availability, most young people migrated to the Thailand border in search of jobs. Therefore, for most of the year there are few young people living in the villages.

10. Agreed actions 10.1 Community mobilization The very first activity UN-Habitat encouraged the project villages to do was to hold a community action plan meeting. Community Action Planning (CAP) is one of the essential components of the People’s Process. Villagers discussed and selected priority needs through majority decisions. UN-Habitat project staff facilitated the process to keep meetings active and gather valuable insights from the villagers. After selecting the prioritized activities, the meeting attendants selected Village Development Committees (VDCs) by mass decision. As the outcome of the priority list, Community Implementation Agreements (CIAs) were prepared and signed between UN-Habitat and village committees, establishing the platform to obtain community grants as well as the process to build, use and maintain water and sanitation facilities. This mechanism serves to assist the communities in internalizing their plans, and in taking responsibility for their implementation and follow-up maintenance of assets. CIAs included the following documents: . Agreement form with rules and regulations, for signature . Detailed drawings and necessary sketches of construction activities . Cost estimates for water supply facilities, sanitation facilities and infrastructures to be built . Work schedule, village maps and other supporting documents In the meantime, UN-Habitat provided trainings to help build community capacity, in particular for VDCs, this is elaborated under another sub-heading.

10.2 Community engagement Community participation is at the very heart of the People’s Process. There are several key steps in the People’s Process where communities not only participate but also lead the project implementation. These are: . Execution of CAP meeting . Preparation of the Community Implementation Agreement . Construction of WASH and infrastructure facilities . Project management and financial control

. Documentations of accounts and decisions . Monitoring of construction progress . Ensuring transparency of all project accounts to villagers

UN-Habitat held VDC training, where training content was also selected by communities themselves. Bookkeeping and material procurement were among the trainings selected, as under the People’s Process VDCs are required to manage themselves the community grants (community implementation agreement funds) which are provided to them by the UN-Habitat Township Office in installments. The basic principle of community cash grants is that communities can bring in social capital. Communities are encouraged to invest their social capital and then to reap the dividend. The capital includes community skills, community networking and community-based mediation capabilities. In addition, UN-Habitat provided the following technical trainings to help improve community capacity, and to ensure community participation in implementation. VDCs are required to play a key role in implementing the WASH facilities, according to the CIAs. UN-Habitat took a facilitator role in the implementation of CIAs. In addition, UN-Habitat staff engaged in close monitoring to ensure improvement to implementation quality and community accounts. Table 2 displays the trainings that UN-Habitat provided to VDCs and interested villagers.

10.3 Gender mainstreaming The project encouraged women to be actively involved in CAP meetings. During group discussions in Village Action Plan meetings, a women’s group was formulated to contribute their view in selecting their priorities for WASH facilities, as well as other required decisions. Additionally, it was required that at least 3 women in were included in each VDC. As a rule, the Treasurer and Assistant Treasure must be women. Forty percent of VDC members in both Mansi and Pekon Townships were women, and in Momauk Township the rate was 35 percent. In Mansi Township a total of 41 women, in Momauk 81 women, and in Pekon 41 women were participating in management roles. The project also encouraged women to attend technical trainings, and in Momauk Township, 33 percent of the trainees were women.

11. Activities Undertaken during the Program The project has recorded a number of significant outputs and outcomes. They are differentiated as outputs are defined as a direct result of actions, whereas outcomes illustrate the difference that the project made.

11.1 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion Water, sanitation and hygiene promotion was a major component of the project. Access to safe drinking water has been a major challenge in the selected villages and 3,224 1,475 33 schools many villages get their water from open wells, springs, households with household latrines supported with rivers or ponds. Quality of the water has been a major issue piped water supply built latrines and hand in these villages and water-borne diseases are heavily washing facility effecting the lives of the people including children. Poor hygiene practices aggravates health risks among the member of the families in these rural villages. 17,059 people benefited from Furthermore, during the dry season, the local water source household water piped supply are drying up, forcing women and children to walk several across 34 villages miles for water fetching. Pump-house 3 11.2 Community infrastructure School latrine 33 Community infrastructure was the other major component Road construction 54 of the project which addressed number of needs supporting communities to construct, improve and renovate different RWCT 17 types of infrastructure facilities. During the community Piped water supply action planning, prioritization of infrastructure was 34 targeted to increase the connectivity to market places, Over-head tank 2 schools, health centers and linking main road networks. This includes activities related to constriction and Gravity flow 16 renovations of access roads, bridges and culverts. Most of Drainage 2 these villages were in most remote locations and largely isolated due to lack of access facilities and connectivity Tube well 39 which was a major hindering factor for reducing poverty Culvert 49 and improving quality of life. Bridge 16

11.3 Capacity building and training Capacity building and training was an integral component of the entire project cycle. The objectives of the capacity development and training were, a) support communities to strengthen their social capital through formation of Village Development Committees (VDCs), b) provide a platform for better communication and bargaining for gaining access to basic services, c) develop skills to improve employability of workforce including women in the labor market, and d) enhance community capacity to own and maintain infrastructure built up the project.

12. Monitoring and Evaluation Township offices prepared progress monitoring reports once in a month. The reports aimed to monitor the actual performance and situation against what was planned according to the set targets and quality. Seniors Engineers from the Yangon office carried out monitoring trips to the project townships once every 3 months. These monitoring trips were not only focused on progress, but also on the process and performance of the project. Moreover, Township Project Offices adhered to the following monitoring mechanisms to help improve the construction work quality and VDC book keeping: . Township staff usually made fields visits 4 days in a week. Senior and Junior Community Mobilizers were required to check and provide guidance to the VDC’s accounting books during their visits. After completion of each field visit, staff were required to prepare a report for the Township Coordinator. These reports included construction progress, expenditure of CIA funds, and performance of VDCs. The Township Coordinator verified all the content and prepared monthly progress reports to Yangon. . A Field Engineer and 2 Technicians from the Township Office made routine visits along with Senior and Junior Community Mobilizers. The Engineer and Technicians assessed the design and quality of construction works and provided suggestions to VDCs. . CIA funds were disbursed to respective VDCs in installments. VDCs were required to draw their funds from Township Offices, as this was the only possible means to handover the funds to VDCs. A written request for funds, including VDC members’ signatures was required for disbursement. Also, VDCs were required to provide previous expenditures and account balances with their funds request. In addition, the Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers were all required to be present while drawing funds from Township Office.

13. Challenges . Armed conflict posed risks to staff security, and challenges to staff field visits 1 . Delays in receiving CIA funds, training funds and petty cash posed challenges to the overall management of the project . Insufficient number of office vehicles posed challenges to field visits . Very poor internet conditions hindered smooth project implementation . Up to 6 month delays in receiving DSA created financial challenges for staff, and discouraged staff motivation . Due to delays in receiving funds, the initial one-year project duration was insufficient to carry out project implementation . Office rent was charged to end of contract, although project had already been completed.

14. Lessons Learnt . Transportation of construction material to villages can be challenged by logistical difficulties and high costs. . Potentially high costs of local skilled labor should be better considered. . Delays in disbursement of CIA funds not only pose various challenges to project staff, but also discounts the accountability of the project vis-à-vis the communities and project donor. . Provision of solar lighting (batteries) is not only useful for lighting of homes, but also for capturing weather information. . Technical staff, especially the capacity of technicians is typically much lower than what their job requires. . Additional time is required to better explain the People’s Process and process of project implementation to communities.

15. Recommendations for future interventions The provision of roads, bridges and culverts benefit communities in many ways, including improved accessibility to paddy fields, markets, schools and transportation of agricultural products to markets. Therefore, cross-benefits can be derived from placing an emphasis on the

1 UN-Habitat’s new finance control system (UMOJA) was launched in 2015, however it still faces major delays in approval findings, therefore late fund disbursements to field offices, and any activity related to the project where funds have to be approved.

construction and upgrading of community infrastructure that directly improve accessibility and transportation in future projects.

16. Expenditure Expenditure report will be submitted along final report.

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