A Report on the International Day of Disaster Reduction (IDDR) observed by LWF-ACT in Thae Kone village of Twantay Township inYangon Division.

In the function organized under The LWF-ACT appeal ASMY82, all the Tripartite Core Group (TCG) - Government Union of Myanmar, ASEAN and UN members were represented. From the Government of the Union of Myanmar, The Deputy Director General & Member TCG, Relief and Resettlement, Ministry of Social Welfare, who was the Chief Guest of the function. Among other Guests of Honor include, the Chairman, Peace & Development and Head of Twanty Township, the Regional Representative, visiting staff from Church of Sweden and other government officials, and staff from Non Governmental Organizations.

During the function the newly constructed multi-purpose school building in Thae Kone village under LWF ASMY82 project was handed over to the Education Department through the school committee chairman. The Regional Representative of LWF Mr. David H Mueller congratulated the Government officials, the villagers, the school committee, the school teachers and the LWF staff for their cooperation and monitoring support with commitments. In his speech, the Deputy Director General appreciated the appropriate and standard quality of services of LWF in Myanmar. The Township Chairman mentioned with satisfaction over the approach and commitment of LWF in the rehabilitation activities and assured all possible cooperation to LWF future activities in the township. Ms. Katarina Ottosson from Church of Sweden, has expressed the satisfaction of the people of Sweden in taking part in the Cyclone Nargis Rehabilitation Programme with financial support through LWF. The school committee chairman from Thea Kone village expressed the satisfaction and gratitude of the villagers to LWF - ACT organization for gifting the school building with class-room furniture, rainwater collection tank with pipe fittings and toilets.

This ceremony was followed by the plan presentation of Community Based Disaster Management / Risk Reduction by the village taskforce members through Mock Drill. 20 youth from the village took active part in the mock drill of the Community Based Disaster Management/ Risk Reduction facilitated by LWF. The plan presentation included the tasks of Early Warning Team, Evacuation, Search and Rescue Team, First Aid Team, Relief Management Team, Information and Networking Team, and Water & Sanitation Team. Along with the dignitaries from Government, Asean, UN, INGOs local government officials, National Print media persons, the entire people from Thea Kone village and a few task force members from neighboring villages witnessed the mock-drill, which was the first in Myanmar. The LWF Myanmar staff from National office and other operational townships were represented during the function to observe and make further improvements while replicating such activity. According to the people gathered in the village during the three hour programme, started at 9.30 am and ended at 12.30 noon has been a very appropriate and valuable initiative in the village.