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ITALY PROVIDES VITAL SUPPORT TO YANGON GOVERNMENT COVID-19 RESPONSE

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Joint News Release

21 January 2021

YANGON, MYANMAR – The Yangon Region Government, Italy, and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)  today marked the contribution of 1 million EURO from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) in support of the COVID-19 response, with a ceremony at Aung Myint Moh treatment center in South Dagon Township, Yangon Region.

The Italian contribution has helped WFP provide daily nutritious meals for over 16,000 people, who were receiving medical and quarantine care at Aung Myint Moh, the largest COVID-19 treatment center in Yangon Region in terms of bed capacity.

The Ambassador of Italy to Myanmar, Alessandra Schiavo, said, “COVID-19 is a humanitarian tragedy of global proportions, which requires a strong and coordinated approach. Italy is close to Myanmar and its people and will continue to engage worldwide to overcome the pandemic, by supporting populations in need, by strengthening and funding the research for a vaccine, and by organizing the Global Health Summit, next 21 May in Rome, to make sure we will all get better prepared for future health challenges. Our support today to the Yangon Region and WFP is part of this vision, and part of our longstanding commitment in support of  Myanmar’s sustainable development and stability.”

H.E. U Phyo Min Thein, Chief Minister of the Yangon Region Government said, “The fact that there are good-will supporters for the people of Myanmar really raises up the spirits of those receiving medical care at COVID-19 centers like here.”

The assistance is guided by WFP’s expertise in meal preparation and high levels of food safety standards.

WFP’s Deputy Country Director Marcus Prior said, “Thanks to the excellent coordination by the Yangon Region Government and generous contribution from Italy, our food assistance have reinforced the Government of Myanmar’s front-line fight against the second surge of COVID-19 in an area with one of the most pressing needs for support.”

Yangon has been the most affected region in Myanmar following an exponential increase in local transmission of COVID-19 since mid-August. WFP meals are prepared with high food safety standards, adequately meet daily nutrition needs for patients, including those being treated for COVID-19 infection.

Assisting the Government in curbing the pandemic has been a priority for the Italian Agency for Development and Cooperation since the beginning of the health crisis.

“With this specific intervention, we want to provide our contribution to alleviate the direct consequences of the pandemic on the most vulnerable populations. The support of the international community has become imperative in order to complement the efforts of the Myanmar Government in this direction, and today AICS confirms to be an active stakeholder, thanks to the strong and effective collaboration with WFP,” said Walter Zucconi, Head of Office, AICS Yangon.

In Rakhine State, WFP has provided food assistance to 60 quarantine sites in eight townships since September 2020. Over 100,000 returning migrants undergoing quarantine in 11 states and regions have also received food and nutrition support from WFP.

Ciao Maurizio

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AICS Yangon is deeply saddened by the news of the loss of Maurizio Di Calisto.

We are close to Eleonora and Matteo, wife and son of Maurizio, and we extend them our heartfelt condolences.

Myanmar was the last country where Maurizio worked as former Head of Office of AICS Yangon, before retiring in 2019.

Throughout all his life Maurizio has always shown his unconditional commitment to a more sustainable and just world. He believed in cooperation among people, and he turned this belief into his lifelong career.

Maurizio will be remembered for the great enthusiasm and passion he put in his daily work with his colleagues and his team but mostly with the people in need of support in every country he worked.

AICS Yangon is sending healing prayers and comforting hugs to his family. May his soul rest in peace.

Ciao Maurizio

AICS Yangon’s mandate is extended to cover Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia

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 On the 12th of June, 2020, Italian Development Cooperation Joint Committee’s Resolution no. 42 established the attribution of territorial responsibilities for cooperation activities in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia to the AICS Field Office in Yangon, already responsible for Myanmar and Bangladesh from the 1st of November 2020. For now, the AICS Hanoi Office is still operational in the Vietnamese capital, and it will continue to implement all the ongoing activities under the direction and supervision of AICS Yangon. “It is the first time, in the short history of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, that the responsibilities of a Country Office are transferred to another operational AICS Office. “AICS Yangon is honored to welcome Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia under its responsibility. The challenge is great but it makes us proud”, explained AICS Yangon Head of Office Walter Zucconi. “AICS Yangon now qualifies itself as an important regional hub for Italian Cooperation throughout Southeast Asia, a new role that requires greater commitment from us and encourages us to do more and better as Italy’s contribution to achieve the objectives of the 2030 Agenda in the Region.”

Fisheries and food security in Myanmar: A new initiative approved by the Italian Development Cooperation

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On October 12th the Italian Development Cooperation approved “The Mediterranean model for supporting food safety and security in the Myanmar fishery sector” initiative. The project is funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation-AICS and will be implemented by the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari-CIHEAM. It is configured as the coherent evolution of a previous pilot project carried out by CIHEAM for the institutional support of the development of the artisanal fishing and aquaculture sector.

The new program aims to improve the quality of local production systems in the fisheries sector through the application of Mediterranean best practices in terms of food safety and health of fish products while simultaneously strengthening cooperation between Italy and Myanmar for the development of the sector in line with the 2030 Agenda and with the Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan 3,26 million Euros will be granted over a three year period for this project.

The initiative is also aligned with the guidelines on COVID-19 defined in the Economic Relief Plan, published in April 2020 by the Government of Myanmar, contributing to mitigate the effects of the socio-economic crisis generated by the pandemic.

At the institutional level, the partners and first beneficiaries of the project are the Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Agriculture of Myanmar and the Yangon City Development Committee, the administration charged with the management of local fish markets. On a private level, the project will work in synergy with the associations of the Myanmar Fishery Federation and with the traders of the small and medium-sized fish enterprises, with particular involvement of female workers in the main fish markets of Yangon.

“Recent data confirms that about 70% of the population’s protein nutritional intake comes from the fish supply chain in Myanmar. Moreover, a significant number of the local small and medium enterprises, including export-oriented, work in this specific sector. It is therefore essential to improve and to consolidate production processes and quality by applying models that guarantee quality standards – such as the international Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) practices that guarantee the hygienic safety and edibility of food products -, and by supporting local small and medium-sized enterprises ”, explains Walter Zucconi, Head of Office of the AICS Yangon, after the approval.

The best practices of the Mediterranean model promoted and replicated in the country through the implementation of this initiative also aim to contribute to the implementation of the specific Millennium Development Goals n. 2, “Zero Hunger”, n. 5, “Gender Equality”, n. 8, “Decent work and economic growth” and n. 14, “Life underwater” of the Sustainable Agenda for Development 2030.

Italy provides UNFPA 400,000 EUR to Women and Girls First Programme – Phase II

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Joint Press Release UNFPA Myanmar – Italian Embassy in Myanmar – AICS Yangon

Yangon, Myanmar, 27th October — Ms. Alessandra Schiavo, Italian Ambassador to Myanmar and Mr. Ramanathan Balakrishnan, UNFPA Representative for Myanmar signed an agreement for a grant of 400,000 Euro. This funding is to support UNFPA’ Women and Girls First Programme – Phase II (2020 – 2022).

The funding allows UNFPA to continue critical interventions to prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV), ensure access to mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services for women, girls, young people in conflict-affected areas, including elderly women, women and girls with disability, LGBTQIA+ and marginalized groups. Bridging the humanitarian, peacebuilding and development nexus, the Women and Girls First Programme is benefitting targeted population across Kachin, Rakhine, Shan, Mon, Kayin and Kayah States.

COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted access to life-saving SRHR, GBV and MHPSS services needed for women, girls and young people in conflict-affected areas. Women and girls are at greater risk of experiencing gender-based violence; adolescents and young people encounter limited access to sexual and reproductive health information, when movement is restricted, livelihoods disrupted and protection systems weakened.

Mr. Ramanathan Balakrishnan said, “Italian Funding for Women and Girls First Programme is coming at the right time. The contribution enables us to ensure continuity of UNFPA support on critical services of GBV and MHPSS to meet the essential needs of conflict-affected women, girls and young people through the programme. With our expertise and strong relationship with local partners, we will invest more in women and girls to further strengthening women empowerment, gender equality, providing access to SRHR and MHPSS services, and encouraging positive social norm changes to prevent GBV in the community.”

UNFPA, United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, continues to deliver critical and life-saving GBV, MHPSS and SRHR services for the most vulnerable women and girls through 33 Women and Girls Centers and mobile and static clinics in Rakhine, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon and Shan States.

“Italy intends to contribute to a better future for all women and girls in this Country. The positive results achieved during the first phase of its implementation made Women and Girls First one of the flagship programs in Myanmar for promoting the advancement of women’s right. I am truly honoured to sign this agreement and work in this direction” said H.E. Alessandra Schiavo, Italian Ambassador to Myanmar.

“The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) is fully aligned to the 2030 Agenda. Through this initiative AICS is reaffirming its commitment to end violence against women and girls, reinforcing the peacebuilding component in the humanitarian and development nexus, and also responding to the current health crisis” affirmed Mr. Walter Zucconi, Head of Office at AICS Yangon.

Italy provided 800,000 Euro to Women and Girls First Programme Phase I during 2016-2019. The Women and Girls First Programme is supported by Australia, the EU, Finland, Germany, Italy and Sweden.

CULTURE and DEVELOPMENT – Cultural Heritage Conservation, Community Engagement, and Sustainable Development: Lessons Learnt from the Italian Development Cooperation in Southeast Asia

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PRESS RELEASE

“CULTURE and DEVELOPMENT – Cultural Heritage Conservation, Community Engagement, and Sustainable Development: Lessons Learnt from the Italian Development Cooperation in Southeast Asia”.

The event will take place online on October 15th at 3:00 PM Myanmar time (10:30 AM in Italy), as part of the Sustainable Development Festival organised by the Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development (ASviS).

“The 2030 Agenda covers the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection. We firmly believe that culture, which is a major asset for our country, addresses cross-cutting policy objectives in these three priorities. Italy’s actions, both in Myanmar and on a global scale, have always been coherent with these goals”, said the Ambassador of Italy in Yangon, Alessandra Schiavo.

Stemming from the belief that cultural heritage conservation and enhancement represent a driving force for economic and social development, the webinar will be an opportunity to discuss the most adequate strategies to implement the 2030 Agenda, starting from the experience gained by the Italian Cultural Cooperation in Myanmar and Southeast Asia over the last 20 years.

“In recent years, the Italian Cooperation has widely contributed to the protection of the cultural heritage of Southeast Asia, including the support to the sites of the Pyu Ancient Cities and Bagan in Myanmar, both successfully listed as World Heritage Sites, in 2014 and 2019 respectively. This effort was made in synergy with local institutions, international organizations, and universities, demonstrating the pivotal role of the promotion and protection of cultural heritage for sustainable development and confirming the need for an integrated dimension of sustainability as envisaged by the 2030 Agenda,” declared Walter Zucconi, Head of the Yangon Office of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.

The event will be attended by representatives of Italian and international institutions active in the field of cultural heritage conservation for sustainable development, and Italian Civil Society Organizations that have worked in Myanmar for a long time and closely with local communities.

The webinar is open to whoever will want to listen to it, by clicking here.

To learn more about the event, visit the website.

Women and Girls First (Phase 2):a new edition of a flagship program in Myanmar for promoting the advancement of women’s rights

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On July 31st 2020 the Italian Development Cooperation Joint Committee approved a 400,000 Euro contribution to Phase II of the Women & Girls First programme (WGF), reaffirming its commitment to ensuring access to sexual and reproductive rights for women and girls in Myanmar. The initiative is executed by UNFPA with oversight and governance from a multi-donor trust fund.

The main goal of the WGF project is to ensure access to sexual and reproductive health rights for marginalized women and girls in Rakhine, Kachin and Northern Shan states.

The programme commenced in 2015 with pledges from several donors and an overall budget of 12 million dollars. Italy has funded the project since its start with two contributions of 400,000 Euro each in 2015 and 2017.

“Italy has supported this initiative since the beginning and significant results have already been achieved, specifically, the creation of standard operational procedures for GBV case management and the enhancement of sexual and reproductive health services for women victims of violence. This have paved the way for a second phase that will definitely contribute to improved gender equality in Myanmar” said Mr. Walter Zucconi, Head of Office of Italian Development Agency in Yangon, commenting on the renewed Italian pledge and contribution for WGF Phase II.

The initiative is fully aligned with the 2030 Agenda SDGs, especially with Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages, Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls and Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions. While enhancing the sustainability of previous activities, the program aims to reinforce the peacebuilding component in the humanitarian and development nexus, thus ensuring comprehensive relief for women and girls living in conflict areas. In the states of Rakhine, Kachin and Northern Shan women do not fully enjoy their rights and are more likely to be affected by high poverty and low literacy rates in the context of continuous fighting. These dynamics reinforce cultural stereotypes of women, and GBV rates are higher in these areas compared to the rest of the country.

Assistance and support to women survivors of violence in conflict zones represents one of the specific objectives of the initiative through Centers for Women (WGF Centers), mental health and psycho-social support and dignity kits in IDPs camps.

In addition, the second phase of the programme will continue to support the Government of Myanmar and its commitment to fully implement the National Strategic Plan for the Advancement of Women (NSPAW) and to advocate for the adoption of a Law on Prevention of Violence Against Women (PoVAW) that complies with international human rights standards and protocols.

Thanks to the positive results obtained during the first phase, Women & Girls First has become one of the flagship programs in Myanmar for promoting the advancement of women’s rights. On this solid foundation, the second phase of the initiative will reach more beneficiaries in more townships and have a total budget of 22 million dollars thanks to new donors such as the European Union.

The initiative is part of the #TeamEurope Covid-19 response, as it is aimed at mitigating some of the effects of the pandemic. The project is an important measure to respond to the current health crisis, which is one more hazard for women in vulnerable situations, especially for those living in IDPs camps that lack basic sanitation.

Learning English: a key toward Myanmar sustainable development

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The opening ceremony of the English Learning Training Program for the staff of the Foreign Economic Relations Department (FERD) and for the Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry, took place in Nay Pyi Taw on 21st of July.

The launching ceremony was attended by Mr. Walter Zucconi, Head of Office of AICS Yangon, U Than Aung Kyaw, Daw Saw Kalaya Su Daw Thuzar Khin, respectively Director General, Deputy Director General and Director of the Department of Foreign Economic Relations (FERD) and Mr. Eugene Quah, Edulink Executive Director. The launching ceremony was also the first public event attended by AICS since the outburst of Covid-19 pandemic and we greet it as a first, yet encouraging, omen for the future.

The Training Program is part of the project  “Support to the Official Development Assistance coordination in Myanmar: Capacity Development of Donor Coordination (CAD-MM)” that AICS has funded since 2016 via a 950.000 Euros grant. The project aims to strengthen the effectiveness of Official Development Assistance (ODA) in Myanmar.

The English Learning Training Program will last one year and will see the participation of a new group of 75 students. In 2019, AICS already supported the Department with a first round of English courses for other 80 staff members. These trainings are part of a larger set of activities aimed at supporting FERD in performing its institutional role.

FERD plays a pivotal role for ODA management and coordination in Myanmar and interacts every day with a growing number of international partners. As effective communication is a fundamental prerequisite for cooperation, mastering the English language becomes essential. It eases relationships and promotes partnerships and mutual understanding, in the common spirit of contributing to the sustainable development of Myanmar.

We are proud to spread the seeds of opportunity in a country which is considered a priority by the Italian Development Cooperation, and we are also glad to support high-quality education at the same time. We are proud to work with and for Myanmar people, building friendship that will be further strengthened, improved and that will last into the future” said Mr. Walter Zucconi during its intervention at the opening ceremony, renewing AICS commitment in supporting Myanmar Government Institutions in implementing its sustainable and inclusive development Policy.

 

Web Conferencing equipment to help social distancing at work

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A video-conferencing equipment has been recently delivered and installed in the premises of the Treasury Department of the Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry in Nay Pyi Taw. The system was procured in the framework of the technical assistance to the Treasury Department, provided under the 3.4 million USD Italian Debt for Development Swap Program.

The overall Debt for Development Swap Program came to a conclusion on March 2020 and allowed to channel 3,1 million USD of Myanmar outstanding debt to Italy for development projects that have improved the lives of the most vulnerable people living in rural areas in Chin State. Procurement activities have been carried out by UNOPS through an additional grant fund provided by the Italian Cooperation.The new, full-fledged web-video-conferencing system will allow the Treasury Department to perform all its duties and hold online
meetings while maintaining social distancing throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

 “We would like to express our truthful gratitude for the Italian generous support and for providing these important and much needed video conferencing facilities to the Treasury Department under the overall Debt for Development Swap Agreement” says the Letter of Appreciation from MoPFI sent to the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation renewing and strengthening the partnership between Italy and the Myanmar.

 

“Samkar Kham Community Lodge” Launch Ceremony

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Samkar, 16th February 2019 – On the 16th of February in Shan State, the “Samkar Kham Community Lodge and Restaurant” was inaugurated as part of the “Economic Promotion of Inle Communities through cultural and natural heritage valorization (EPIC)” project, co-funded by AICS and implemented by the Italian NGO ICEI.

The one million Euro project aims at facilitating the economic promotion of communities through the enhancement of their cultural and natural heritage. The area of Lake Samkar, just next to Inle Lake in Shan State, is rich in stunning nature and unique cultural heritage.

During the opening ceremony, the Recognition Certificate for CBT (Community Based Tourism) was delivered to the local communities’ representatives by Shan State authorities. Local communities around Samkar Lake are the main stakeholders of the initiative, and through this project they received intensive trainings and workshops in order to be inscribed as Community Based Tourism organizations to become part of a governmental programme which combines tourism and sustainability.

Having Her Excellency Ms. Alessandra Schiavo, Italian Ambassador to Myanmar, present at the launch ceremony underlined the great significance of this initiative within the Italian strategy for development cooperation.

Italy and Myanmar have a long-lasting diplomatic relationship and Myanmar remains a priority country for development cooperation. The promotion of sustainable tourism based on an inclusive bottom-up approach is well placed in the overall Italian commitment to Myanmar, which identifies tourism and protection of natural and cultural heritage critical for achieving sustainable development.

The inauguration of the Samkar Kham Community Lodge is the result of a long, successful and productive collaboration between different stakeholders, local institutions and international organizations.

AICS Yangon expressed its appreciation for the Myanmar authorities, the local communities,  ICEI and other stakeholders for the joint commitment to the sustainable tourism management of this unique and spectacular area. It is another step toward models of sustainable, responsible tourism, and as always, seeks to encourage awareness, social cohesion, inclusion and cultural diversity.