In January 2009 a new assignment took me to the Union of Myanmar also known as Burma or Birma. All I knew about the country find its origin in mass media produced reports and head lines thus I could only learn more about the ‘real’ Myanmar.
The devastating impact of cyclone Nargis in May 2008 with an estimated 130,000 casualties and millions of people left without home triggered a massive humanitarian intervention focusing on the Ayewaddy Delta Region. Although, the need was evident the relief efforts were hampered in the initial stage already by bureaucratic hurdles and political interests of the ruling elite in the country. Initial difficulties were accelerated by poor access to communities and the limited availability of relief commodities in the region. The existing infrastructure in the delta is made up entirely of water ways and access to remote villages depended on tidal conditions and availability of skilled boats man. Not focusing only on life saving activities in the beginning Welthungerhilfe stepped up relief efforts in an early stage aiming at the revitalization of a normal community life. Activities were spanning from plain food distribution (WFP cooperation) over shelter provision (UNHCR), Water Sanitation and Hygiene promotion (WASH) and Disaster Risk Reduction (ECHO), School Construction (BMZ) to extensive Livelihood interventions (DIFID and EU).
I was heading the logistic department for 1 ˝ year and partially covered the project management for the livelihood projects. Myanmar is a fascinating country with interesting people. Efforts made by the international community in the communities were received well and showed impact.
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After the separation from India in 1947 Pakistan had to walk a long and stoney path. Initially, destined to be the homeland for millions of Muslims living in South Asia, corruption, military rule and the ambition of religious leader to establish a “pure country” resulted in a contradictious and disharmonised nation. The five provinces of Pakistan (Sindh, Baloshistan, NWFP, Kashmir and Punjab) represent the fold lines of cultural and socio-economic differences within the country.
The October 2005 earthquake in Pakistan changed the life and future prospects for millions of people in Pakistan. In Particular, the Northern Western Frontier Province (NWFP) bordering Afghanistan and the politically tense and disputed region of Kashmir were hit the hardest. According to the UN, the disaster resulted in some 73,000 casualties and about three million people lost their homes. In November 2005 I joined the emergency response mission of Deutsche Welthungerhilfe/German Agro Action (DWHH/GAA) in Pakistan. First as chief logistician of the program, and later as project manager of a distribution project, I was confronted with the direct impacts of the natural disaster in Batagran district/NWFP and Bagh district/Kashmir. I had to focus on the provision of shelter kits, Noon Food Items and nutritional inputs for earth quake affected families.
With the fast approaching winter, a poor infrastructure and a society seriously interrupted in their social routine made this mission the most challenging assignment of my career. gallery
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The October 2005 earthquake in Pakistan changed the life and future prospects for millions of people in Pakistan. In Particular, the Northern Western Frontier Province (NWFP) bordering Afghanistan and the politically tense and disputed region of Kashmir were hit the hardest. According to the UN, the disaster resulted in some 73,000 casualties and about three million people lost their homes. In November 2005 I joined the emergency response mission of Deutsche Welthungerhilfe/German Agro Action (DWHH/GAA) in Pakistan. First as chief logistician of the program, and later as project manager of a distribution project, I was confronted with the direct impacts of the natural disaster in Batagran district/NWFP and Bagh district/Kashmir. I had to focus on the provision of shelter kits, Noon Food Items and nutritional inputs for earth quake affected families.
With the fast approaching winter, a poor infrastructure and a society seriously interrupted in their social routine made this mission the most challenging assignment of my career. gallery
After the end of the Cold War and at the dawn of a new century the geopolitical map has changed. However, the last frontline of the Cold War seems to be the 38th parallel at the Korean Peninsula. The division of Korea right after the Second World War into a communist state in the north and a free market oriented state in the south created a unique work environment for humanitarian aid workers and political scientists. My first assignment for a German relief NGO brought me to DPRK (Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea) also known as North Korea in 1999.
From 1999 to 2003 I worked for several different relief NGOs in North Korea in a variety of capacities such as technical advisor, field monitor, logistician and program coordinator. While the majority of projects were concentrating on the rehabilitation of the health care system, and in particular hospitals and clinics, I participated in a wide range of provision programs to deliver relief goods such as drinking water for children's institutions, nutritional items and technical equipment. The time I spent in North Korea instilled in me a cultural sensibility and skills of diplomacy to ensure projects moved forward despite a work environment that was generally static and restricted. gallery
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From 1999 to 2003 I worked for several different relief NGOs in North Korea in a variety of capacities such as technical advisor, field monitor, logistician and program coordinator. While the majority of projects were concentrating on the rehabilitation of the health care system, and in particular hospitals and clinics, I participated in a wide range of provision programs to deliver relief goods such as drinking water for children's institutions, nutritional items and technical equipment. The time I spent in North Korea instilled in me a cultural sensibility and skills of diplomacy to ensure projects moved forward despite a work environment that was generally static and restricted. gallery