(LIFT)/ UNOPS Dry Zone Program Inception Mission 14-30 October
MYANMAR Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT)/ UNOPS Dry Zone Program Inception Mission 14-30 October 2013 Aide-mémoire The Inception Mission was the first of a three step process, intended to focus on validation of the proposed program area, and on provision of main sector focus for the program. Accompanied by LIFT FMO team members the mission visited a total of 28 villages in 8 Townships, of which 5 in Mandalay Region (Kyaukpadung, Mingyan, Taungthar, Natogyi and Mahlaing), and 3 in Magway Region (Pauk, Seikphyu, Myaing). The five Mandalay Townships were identified by LIFT on the basis of vulnerability classification carried out by a major JICA pilot project, while the three in Magway were included to look at possible synergies with the 3MDG program operating there. The village visits were based on a semi-structured participatory approach focusing on discussion of a main topics list, but without fixed questions, and allowing the discussion to follow directions raised by the participants. The discussion group-size varied from 50 to about 100 community members, representing formal as well as traditional village leaders (respected elders and government village leaders), Village Development Committees (where formed by NGOs), single purpose interest groups (such as water management associations), Women’s associations, Parent-Teacher Associations, Mother and Child groups, social and religious groups, landowners/farmers, landless people, migrant workers and people with disabilities. At least half of the community members present at the village meetings were women, some representing female-headed households. The main topics covered included agricultural production, rainfall, livestock, credit, markets, migration, food security and household diets, health and education.
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