Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Surin Pitsuwan as the Chair of ASEAN Humanitarian Task Force for the Victims of Cyclone Nargis conducted a series of planning meetings with the World Bank, members of the Tripartite Core group, as well as INGOs, Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, Representatives of Private Sector in Yangon on 26 May 2008.

Coordination and Planning Meeting with World Bank, 26 May 10:00 -12:00 AM

Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Surin Pitsuwan as the Chair of ASEAN Humanitarian Task Force for the Victims of Cyclone Nargis had a meeting with the World Bank to flesh out the details of ASEAN – World Bank Collaboration to support the Task Force in its humanitarian operations in Myanmar. Among others, the World Bank will provide technical support to ASEAN Emergency Rapid Assessment Team (ERAT) in performing the comprehensive joint assesment of recovery needs, and development of a shared post-disaster recovery and reconstruction plan.

Coordination and Planning Meeting with Members of the Tripartite Core Group, 26 May, 14:00 – 16:00 AM

Dr Surin met with the members of the Tripartite Core Group (TCG), including representatives from the UN, the Government of Myanmar and ASEAN, to discuss and plan TCG’s joint plan, strategies and activities in the coming days. Among others, the meeting discussed the schedule for the joint assessment, the strategy for the joint assessment, and the next meetings and activities of the Task Force and TCG. Dr. Surin also briefed the TCG’s and Task Force’s humanitarian operations.

Session with INGO’s, Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Private Sector, 26 May, 16:00 – 17:30 AM

Dr. Surin had a session with the INGOs, Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Private Sector (represented by some Thai companies) who have been doing humanitarian operations in the affected areas in Ayeyawady Delta and rendering relief support to the victims of Cyclone Nargis. Dr. Surin briefed them on the ASEAN-led coordinating mechanism (i.e. the Task Force and the TCG) and how the Task Force would interface with them. Realising that they are already doing humanitarian operations on the ground. Dr. Surin requested that they provide inputs and feedback to the Task Force in terms of difficulties on the ground, assessment of the situation, etc. to complement the joint assessment to be done by the TCG. Dr. Surin suggested to have regular sessions between him and the INGOs, Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Private Sector in Yangon to gather their inputs, feedback and assessment, exchange information and find ways on how to help each other.