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Home , Dawei, Dawei District, Kawkareik, Mon State, Myeik District, Palaw

Midwife Aye Aye Nwe greets one of her young patients at the newly constructed Rural Health Centre in Kyay Thar Inn village ( Region). PHOTO: S. MARR, BANYANEER More engaged, better connected

In brief: results of the Southeast Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project (SIRP),

I first came to this village”, says Aye Aye Nwe, Following Myanmar’s reform process and ceasefires with local “When “things were so different.” Then 34 years old, the armed groups, the opportunity arose to finally improve conditions midwife first came to Kyay Thar Inn village in 2014. - advancing health, education, infrastructure, basic services. “It was my first post. When I arrived, there was no clinic. The The task was huge, and remains considerable today despite village administrators had built a house for me - but it was not a the progress that has been achieved over recent years. clinic! Back then, villagers had no full coverage of vaccinations and healthcare - neither for prevention nor treatment.” The project The Southeast Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project (SIRP) was The nearest rural health centre was eleven kilometres away - a designed to support this process. Starting in late 2012, a long walk over roads that are muddy in the wet season and dusty consortium of Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), the Swiss in the dry. Unsurprisingly, says Nwe, “the health knowledge of Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the Karen villagers was quite poor. They did not know that immunisations Development Network (KDN)* and Action Aid Myanmar (AAM) are a must. Women did not get antenatal care or assistance of sought to enhance lives and living conditions in 89 remote midwives during delivery.” villages across Myanmar’s southeast.

About 500 kilometres south-east of , Kyay Thar Inn village Funded by the European Commission under its ‘Aid to Uprooted lies in district of . Green paddy fields, People’ programme as well as NRC and SDC, the EUR 7.0 million gentle hills on the horizon. Less visible: the lasting legacy of a project focussed on Tanintharyi Region as well as Mon and Kayin long conflict. Over more than six decades, armed groups and States further north (see map overleaf). SIRP included a general Myanmar’s military had fought each other. The collateral damage: frame of objectives (related to rights & citizenship, health, villages like Kyay Thar Inn remained impoverished, disconnected. education, water & sanitation, and infrastructure). At the same

* KDN was formerly known as Knowledge and Dedication for Nation Building 2 More engaged, better connected | Evaluation summary: Southeast Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project (SIRP), Myanmar

Project fellows Map: SIRP areas Part of the community-based process were so-called ‘fellows’ - CHINA [Pop.: 1.57 million] villagers who were selected to mobilise the wider communities, INDIA Local implementation: NRC* facilitate development, and coordinate with SIRP partners and SIRP coverage: 30 villages in three townships: stakeholders. Once nominated by communities, they underwent • Kawkareik () extensive training to complete their multi-faceted tasks. • Kyanseikyi (Kawkareik district) MYANMAR • Thandaunggyi (Hpa An district) KAWKAREIK DISTRICT Enlargement Naw Shwe Thet Wah Oo (33) is one of these fellows. “At first, it Kayin MYAWADI was so difficult to organise people”, says the fellow from Wet DISTRICT State DISTRICT THAI- Swei Phyu in . “After the sounds of guns had stopped, LAND Mon we did not know about other organisations, about development. State And we were afraid of having to pay unofficial taxes.” Wah Oo had to convince people - through home visits and lots of explaining. HPA AN DISTRICT Over time, she grew more confident and also liaised with DISTRICT representatives of the (KNU, one of the * In all three areas, technical non-state actors), who accepted and endorsed the project. support was provided by MON STATE [Pop.: 2.05 million] Action Aid Myanmar (AAM). Local implementation: SDC* Project results SIRP coverage: 29 villages DAWEI in four townships: DISTRICT Upon completion of SIRP in mid-2017, independent consultants • Bilin () were asked to evaluate the project. Based on visits to 19 of the • (Mawlamyine) • Ye (Mawlamyine) 89 villages, staff reflection workshops and a wide range of • (Mawlamyine) interviews and tools, the evaluation commended the overall Tanintharyi approach for its participatory nature, sound targeting of remote Region and conflict-affected areas, and its largely sustainable outcomes.

TANINTHAYRI REGION [Pop.: 1.41 million] Local implementation: KDN* SIRP investments made a positive difference to people’s lives: the SIRP coverage: 30 villages trend analysis shows overall improvements (see summary chart in three townships: • Dawei () below). Along with the efforts of government agencies and others, • (Dawei) SIRP was seen as a contributing factor behind this positive • (Myeik district) development - including both process dimensions (social DISTRICT GULF OF cohesion, connectedness, women’s empowerment) and dimensions related to outcomes (e.g. education, health, water). BAY OF BENGAL Take water. In Naw Shwe Thet Wah Oo’s village, there had previously been only six wells for 140 households, and none at the upland part of the village. “During summer time, villagers had to go for water collection, around three o’clock in the morning time, communities were guided to assess and prioritise their and queue up for their turn”, she says. There was not enough needs. Based on so-called ‘Village Books’, SIRP then supported water - in summer, wells would quickly run dry. what they needed most - be it a clinic, school, road, or water system. Since the SIRP-supported set-up of a water gravity system, there has been enough water for the whole village, and throughout the whole year. The village’s water group established rules to save More engaged, more united water, and collects MMK 5,000 (USD 3.60) per month from each Through the Village Book process, people got more engaged in household, enabling the group to maintain the system and give community development. “In previous13 Myanmar: days”, Evaluationsays farmer of theDaw Southeast Infrastructureloans through Rehabilitation a revolving Project fund.(SIRP) Thein Tin (52) from Za Le village (Kayin State), “we attended meetings just to show up. But most were not involved in Concerning education, the many new or upgraded schools discussions or any decisions. Now we can talk a lot and get provide better learning environments - as several sources suggest, involved properly.” Saw Wai Wai (51) from Taw Ta La village students now stay at school longer to learn and play. Networking (Tanintharyi) agrees and adds: “I seeFigure that 4a the | Trend villagers analysis have overall results and gender disaggregation become more united because of theWhat project. these charts They showwere not like Summary: overall trend Combined As1. part Livelihoods of the SIRP evaluation, Combined that before.” The charts on this page illustrate the results of Male communities were asked to rate Male Female Female trend analysis exercises that were conducted 2 aspects2 of their living conditions Very good Very good Community engagement went beyondin the planning: sampled villages in many supported villages, by the SIRP for each year from 2013 (on a 1 scale1 from very bad (1) to very project. In each village, two groups (male/ Good Good groups were formed to actually construct new infrastructure. good (5)). The chart shows the female) were asked to rate aspects of their +1.32 +1.13 Furthermore, villages have formed committees to maintain these 0 aggregate0 trend, indicating that living conditions for the years 2013-2017 on Difference between 2013 and 2017 scores perceived overall conditions have new assets. Equipped with skills anda scale resources, from -2 (very most bad) committees to +2 (very good). -1 improved.-1 are confident that they will be able to fix broken water pipes or Bad Bad -2 -2 leaking roofs. Several communitiesThe already grey lines went show further the average - figures, with Very bad To Verya considerable bad extent, these trends were attributed to SIRP completing some other priority actionsthe dotted in their red (women) Village andBooks blue that (men) lines -3 -3 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 (with2013 other factors2014 at play).2015 2016 2017 were not directly funded by SIRP. showing gender-based trends.

2. Infrastructure Combined 3. Education Combined 4. Health Combined Male Male Male Female Female Female 2 2 2 Very good Very good Very good 1 1 1 Good Good 0 0 0 +1.56 Normal Normal +2.12 +2.03 -1 -1 -1 Bad Bad -2 -2 -2 Very bad Very bad Very bad -3 -3 -3 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

5. Water Combined 6. Sanitation & hygiene Combined 7. Rights & citizenship Combined Male Male Male Female Female Female 2 2 2 Very good Very good Very good 1 1 1 Good Good Good 0 0 0 +1.04 +1.50 +1.71 -1 -1 -1 Bad Bad Bad -2 -2 -2 Very bad Very bad Very bad -3 -3 -3 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

8. Social cohesion Combined 9. Connectedness Combined 10. Women’s empowerment Combined Male Male Male Female Female Female 2 2 2 Very good Very good Very good 1 1 1 Good Good Good +0.95 +0.91 0 0 +1.44 0

-1 -1 -1 Bad Bad Bad -2 -2 -2 Very bad Very bad Very bad -3 -3 -3 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

“In the past, we could only participate in the meetings. Now we can present our requirements and plans to the authorities with the village book created and guided by SDC.” Wei Pa Thea Village, Mon, Men’s group, trend analysis

Women’s participation and decision-making showed a slight increase in the trend analysis. This minor increase was mainly attributed to the experience of attending meetings for the project and encouragement by project staff. Some contextual political changes were also attributed to women feeling freer to participate. Limits in education, knowledge of Myanmar language and confidence to some extent continue to be main barriers for women to participate in decision-making and leadership roles in their communities. Evaluation summary: Southeast Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project (SIRP), Myanmar | More engaged, better connected 3 between SIRP and the department of education as well as local advocacy between education committees and teaching staff mean that gaps and grievances are addressed more quickly.

Saw Eh Muu (14), a schoolboy from Kyauk Phyu (Tanintharyi) loves his new school. “In the past”, he says, “I was not happy to go to school because school windows would not cover us from the rain. The raindrops hit me when it was windy.” Teachers would often come late or not at all. “Nowadays, the teachers are no longer absent. We have got wider rooms and a bigger compound. I feel happier and safe at school.”

In many places, SIRP supported the construction of new roads and bridges. “Transportation was quite difficult before the project started”, says Sayama Su Thase Mar (35). The teacher from Ka Meik village (Tanintharyi) explains: “I always arrived late at meetings. The road was slippery, and I often fell down two or three times. Now it is quite convenient for me and my school students.”

Aside from convenience, new roads came with more tangible benefits: since trucks are now able to use the road to her village, access to markets has improved. “The prices of materials have Naw Shwe Thet become a bit lower than before”, she says. Furthermore, it was Wah Oo (33) is a now easier to take the sick to hospital. Better roads had also project ‘fellow’ from Wet Swei reduced motorbike accidents - and saved many from “broken Phyu (, bones and injuries.” Mon State) and also works as an Better health services are another outcome of the project: auxiliary midwife from a low baseline in terms of health knowledge and access, PHOTO: SDC new rural health centres and sub-centres have led to a more accessible service provision. Especially given their remote setting, such connectivity is vital for communities’ resilience. Higher levels of community engagement, On its own, a new building may not make much difference. But it collective action, and confidence enable villages to issue enabled existing health staff to offer better and more services - requests to agencies, better roads and stronger relations support proper antenatal care, immunisations, deliveries. Midwife Aye Aye opportunities to develop further. In most cases, Village Books Nwe explains: “Without a clinic, the villagers do not adopt the have been shared with authorities - providing a community master habit of regular visits for tetanus immunisations for pregnant plan for the process that lies ahead. ladies. I like them to visit the clinic. By visiting, they can improve their knowledge.” Now she can measure newborns’ weight and Lessons learned height, provide leaflets, and has sanitary facilities available. Thus The evaluation process identified numerous lessons that can far, Aye Aye Nwe has assisted in forty deliveries at the new clinic. inform future programming Myanmar’s south-east as well as similar contexts. Farmer Daw Phyu Phyu Win (38) from Kyoe Wine village (Mon State) points out the easier access that the new health centre Generally, the bottom-up “Village Book” approach proved effective represents: whereas the new centre is just around the corner, it and is recommended for replication. The project design’s took her much longer in the past: “To get any medical treatment flexibility to accommodate for village priorities is seen as best took such a long time. From our village, first we needed to walk practice; it rendered interventions relevant and mobilised 15 minutes to the boat stop. From there, we had to take a boat communities. The in-depth maintenance training for new for three hours. Finally, it was another two hours by car.” committees (particularly as pursued in Mon State) and the systems that were put in place to sustain new hardware are The project also invested in better sanitation - supporting the commendable. construction of latrines in schools and promoting hand-washing and other hygienic practices. While well-intended, the evaluation Two particular aspects were found to require further attention: found that the project design did not include a more comprehen- first, newly constructed water systems need to be more sive behaviour change process that would have been more systematically tested for pollutants such as coliform. If that effective in inducing long-term adoption of hygienic practices. proves unfeasible, water must be treated to ensure it is safe to drink. Second, the sharing of Village Books is perceived as a Better connected double-edged sword in areas controlled by both the government In addition to the sectoral outcomes mentioned above, there is and former ethnic armed groups: containing sensitive information another over-arching result of the project: communities are better (location of resources, access routes), the extent of what is connected to local authorities and external actors. shared with whom must be carefully considered. 4 More engaged, better connected | Evaluation summary: Southeast Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project (SIRP), Myanmar

Students from Pyin Ma Pin Seik Primary School (Bilin township, Mon State) learning all six steps of hand-washing, which was part of SIRP hygiene promotion training. PHOTO: SDC

From here on forward final outcomes, achievement of targets, and quantification of Looking further ahead, it is highly likely that the supported impact. With SIRP 2 having just started, consortium partners may communities will not only continue to maintain their new assets, wish to consider retrofitting such a system now. but to also develop further. Much of the impact will only emerge over time - such as those related to better educated children, Third, adopting water testing protocols that are in line with and certain health outcomes. SPHERE standards is an important aspect that cannot be overstressed: ‘testing or treating’ must be the premise of future Meanwhile, a newly formed partnership of two consortium programming in order to ensure that water from newly members will continue to support the development of Myanmar’s constructed wells and supply systems is safe. south-east - a ‘SIRP 2’ project is already underway. In this context, the evaluation suggests four key areas to be considered. Finally, the well-established development mantra of ‘do no harm’ must be thoughtfully considered in post-conflict contexts such as First, the adoption of better sanitary practices involves a change those in south-east Myanmar: while the Village Book process is a in behaviours - which is a complex process that includes generally commendable approach that can and should be re- knowledge acquisition, addressing attitudes, and eventually the applied, it needs to be understood that the information in these change of practices. A more systematic approach - and greater books can be highly sensitive. In this context, a checklist should investments in this area - will be needed to transform sanitation be used to decide what information can be shared. practices in the long run. In summary, the South-East Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project Second (and underpinning this process), future projects shall helped improve conditions in its target areas. It has also laid the invest in adequate baselines with robust sampling that then foundation for further progress. Especially when adopting the become the basis of a strong monitoring regime (which must be suggested enhancements, SIRP 2 has promising prospects to able to regularly assess outcomes as well as outputs). In turn, further reinforce the resilience of communities, and to help them such quantitative data would enable a more robust evaluation of outlive and transform the troubled and conflict-shaped past.

© Norwegian Refugee Council October 2017 This document was prepared by Banyaneer on the basis of the SIRP final evaluation report. Text: Patrick Bolte and Samadhi Marr