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LuxDev, Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency

• 2020
• • 29 May
  • By Sandrine THINNES
  • 
  • MYA/002
  • Socio-economic development
  • Share Tweet

  MYANMAR - Cope with the collateral damage caused by the measures taken to tackle Covid-19

  The Eastern Shan State Rural Development and Inclusion Project, MYA/002, works in 89 target villages with approximately 16 700 people. The targeted population consists of 100% ethnic minorities emerging from very insecure conditions (acutely remote, high altitude, former no-travel zones) and/or damaged areas (earthquake). These communities have very limited access to services and are totally reliable on self-sufficient agricultural and livestock production for survival.

  

  Commonly, this time of the year, the most vulnerable households are experiencing rice shortage which would be lessened via traditional coping mechanisms of finding daily wager work. These mechanisms are currently not available to the villagers in view of travel restrictions due to COVID-19 health and safety measures.

  The Government of the Union of Myanmar has drafted a COVID-19 Response Plan consisting of 7 goals in which Goal 4 consists of Easing the Impact on Households via unconditional in-kind transfer to vulnerable households and at-risk population.

  The target population of the MYA/002 project falls to 100% under the definition of vulnerable and at-risk population. In view of the uncertainty of when lockdown measures might be lessened, the onset of the rainy season and the ploughing of rice fields, the MYA/002 target population is in need of in-kind support for food security reasons to sustain strength (caloric in-take) and resilience of the individuals. From recent exchanges with beneficiaries, many households are already facing hunger and malnutrition, which will also heighten the health impact of a possible local COVID-19 outbreak.

  MYA/002 supports all households in the target area with a 1-month ration of rice, oil and salt. Basic hygiene articles like soap will also be provided to support the COVID-19 prevention measures. The 1-month rice ration is renewable in case COVID-19 measures remain in place or destitute households need further support.

  

  MYA/002 coordinates the distribution of the in-kind support via the General Administration Department’s village tract clerks, the village chiefs and the village development committees already functional in parts of the targeted area to ensure the equitable distribution of the rations to the households in each of the 89 villages.

  The distribution started on 28 May 2020, the first 171 households of some 2 800 households were immensely grateful for the support even if they had to carry the rice bags on foot back to their village.

  The delivery and distribution of more than 250 tons of goods will continue over the next few weeks in the MYA/002 project area.

  

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• • 21 May
  • By Project MYA/002
  • 
  • Asia Office MYA/002
  • Socio-economic development
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  MYANMAR - No one will be left behind

  Luxembourg development cooperation promotes cultural diversity to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development through the Eastern Shan State Rural Development and Inclusion Project-MYA/002, in a region where the majority of the population is facing many cultural, political, economic, and environmental challenges. The project adopts a direct financing modality, empowering local management structures such as village development committees via training and the application of appropriate technology, technical expertise and facilitation among targeted communities.

  One of the main hypotheses of the project's strategy suggests that the phased cooperation and necessary interdependence for new activities will gradually improve attitudes and practices in social organisation, which is to be based on mutual respect, resource sharing, community development and informed governance.

  See the project in action here:

  

  Benefits and impact to date:

  • More than 7,200 people currently have access to clean water in their homes;
  • 256 households have a sustainable supply of electricity for household lightening and small electric appliances through a pico-hydropower system;
  • 44 community tea farms and 171 individual coffee farms were established with a survival rate of 95% of seedling production;
  • Implementation of 5 model pig farms with selected farmers, resulting in spontaneous replication of household pig farming in 5 of the poorest villages;
  • 3,935 people trained in operation and maintenance of village water and electricity systems, safe drinking water production, solid waste management, basic animal healthcare, livestock breeding, agricultural production, village development, and vocational training (sewing course).

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• • 7 January
  • By Sandrine Thinnes
  • 
  • MYA/002
  • Socio-economic development
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  MYANMAR - Nearly 15,000 people in rural areas will have access to information and telecommunication technology

  On Friday 13 December 2019, LuxDev, the bilateral development agency of the Government of Luxembourg (via Eastern Shan State Rural Development and Inclusion Project, MYA/002), and Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications (MPT), a Myanmar government entity (as “Service Provider”), signed an agreement for the purchase, turnkey building, installation and future operation of three Telecom towers in the Township of Keng Tung.

  

  The agreement, which lists required services in the form of basic data and voice communications, is part of a series of parallel interventions adopting a holistic approach towards rural development and inclusion in three designated target areas in Eastern Shan Stage. The area where the services will be delivered from mid-2020 onwards includes almost 15,000 beneficiaries and is situated to the south-west of Keng Tung city (Nam Khat, Nam Inn, Nar Paw, Ming Inn and Naung Taun – commonly referred to as the “5 Tracts”).

  The counterpart agency assigned to the project is the Department of Rural Development (DRD) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation. The other ministries and/or organisations involved are the General Administration, Rural Roads, Agriculture, Livestock and Education departments.

  

  The two objectives of the Eastern Shan State Rural Development and Inclusion Project - MYA/002 are to improve the means and resources for legal livelihood activities of the local communities and to promote interaction, interdependence, cooperation and capacity in the community's development of participatory governance.

  Project MYA/002, now at the end of its second year, has a 5-year duration and a total budget of 10 million EUR from the government of Luxembourg (in addition to a range of alternative Myanmar contributions).

  Since development prospers with cooperation and interdependence, first and foremost the initiative aims to involve and serve villagers in need of food, water, electricity, better productive/agricultural activities, mobility and communications. These necessities all require consistent cooperation and interdependence, which is to be gradually formalised in committees at Township, Tract, Village and Community levels.

  The delivery of communications represents the promotion of innovation and will strengthen the information network, specifically in the 5 Tracts, and this will thus enable more people to appreciate common interests and the need to cooperate in change, to gain shared knowledge, and to learn by themselves.

  The project sought a cost-sharing agreement with MPT for the provision of hardware and subsequent communications services, with the latter falling under the full responsibility of MPT. Earlier in 2019, MPT already built a tower and started operations; thereby reaching the 5 Tracts target area.

  In consultation with the community, the project will support the provision of phones, radio and internet access for key persons. High priority actors and key beneficiaries are hence a few thousand learners in some 20 schools, between 40-50 teachers, approximately 100 village elders in literacy and information, an estimated 200 village committee members in different technical areas, some 500 leading female and male farmers, some 1500 following farmers (wetland, upland, livestock and post-harvest technologies), possibly some 1000 short-term workers (some with repeat assignments) on tracks and roads and about 100 Myanmar Government staff from six different sectors who will gain knowledge and skills from implementing their responsibilities in planning, execution, maintenance, monitoring and reporting.

  Communications will be closely monitored so as to learn from the uptake and the developmental effects of this intervention in this area, compared with an unconnected “control area” in another Township or District of Eastern Shan State.

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• 2019
• • 28 November
  • By Mone SYSAVATH
  • 
  • Asia Office LAO/030
  • Socio-economic development
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  LAOS - A small loan can lift a poor rice farmer out of povertyA story of Bounthavy Daungphachanh

  Being a rice farmer, I used to be very poor and I did not have enough food for myself and my family for the year. With little money, no labour and no knowledge on how to improve the soil and the variety of rice, we had very low harvests. So I decided to apply for a loan from the village credit scheme and my first request for a 3,000,000-kip loan was accepted. I used that money to improve the yields by hiring more workers to plant and look after my rice fields, by getting a tractor and by buying more fertiliser to use in my rice fields. Thanks to the credit scheme, I am now able to grow rice seasonally and have good harvests. Now I have enough to eat and a better livelihood.

   

  To find out more about Bounthavy’s story, watch this video:

  

  The village credit scheme, or village bank, is part of LAO/030 Local Development Programme’s efforts to help lift the poor out of extreme poverty and to bring them over the national poverty line. The Programme works in 14 of some of the poorest districts of Bokeo, Bolikhamxay, Khammouane and Vientiane provinces, encompassing 229 villages and counting together 150 000 people, 70% of whom come from various ethnic groups.

   

   

  ↑ To the top
• • 20 November
  • By Sandrine THINNES
  • 
  • Asia Office MYA/002
  • Socio-economic development
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  MYANMAR - Pig farming a lucrative activity

  The Eastern Shan State Rural Development and Inclusion Project, MYA/002, recently established 5 pig model farms in selected villages of the target area south-west of Kyaing Tong city in Eastern Shan State.

  

  The MYA/002 team selected 5 farmers willing to start a pig model farm after training Community Animal Health Care Workers in each village and running several information campaigns amongst the 70 targeted villages. The farmers then signed an agreement to follow the new breeding techniques, improved feeding plan and products, as well as to apply humane husbandry practices.

  Although small livestock like poultry and pigs are kept close to the houses, the animals are free to roam around throughout the day. They get fed once a day with leftovers or if the family can afford it with some cooked rice bran. Due to this traditional way of keeping small livestock, the animals are left mostly to their own demise which increases spreading of diseases, excrements and last but not least destroying vegetable gardens and eating any garbage they can find.

  The pig model farm promotes the construction of a pig pen, use of specialised animal fattening feed (which does not need cooking) and supplements like Ruzi grass, cleaning of the stables twice daily and regular treatments/vaccinations (including castration of male pigs).

  Vet Infomation Campaign 

  The first trials have shown that by using the improved feeding plan, the fattening period of the local black mountain pig can be reduced from 16 to 6 months and reaching a good marketable size. The farmers have also noted that the local variety pigs if kept according to the improved techniques have a much healthier aspect.

  Obviously, the project is supporting these model farms with the specialised feed (local production in Myanmar) but only for 6 months as the business plan then allows for the breeding farm to run sustainably on its own.

  Some neighbouring villages have already made their interest known to follow the guidelines, amongst them the small villages of Loi Kye 1&2 and the 11 households of the La Hu Shi tribe (usually nomadic) have surpassed the project’s expectations.

   The poorest part of Loi Kye 1 village

  Their animal health care workers had invited all the households to construct pig pens with material that they had available. They then invited the project to come and check asking to be supported with roofing sheets and the specialised feed. The villages had even plotted some areas to grow the Ruzi grass.

  Honouring this exemplary initiative, the project provided the roofing sheets, fattening feed and training on how to mix the feed ratios and supplements. These households are all living far below the poverty line so that the fattening of their pigs represents a legal and lucrative income activity.

  Livestock traders have already noticed an improved quality and availability of cattle and pigs in the targeted area. They are now more interested in negotiating higher prices as the livestock is treated, vaccinated and of a much healthier constitution. A 6 months old pig fed according to the new techniques can be sold for 150 000 MMK (88 EUR) whereas before the farmer needed to wait at least one year before the marketable size was reached.

  

  Other positive side effects are a cleaner environment in the village, decrease of exposure to diseases for humans and animals, decline in home gardens being raided by hungry pigs and also decrease in using of fire wood as cooking animal feed becomes unnecessary.

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• • 18 September
  • By Mone SYSAVATH
  • 
  • Asia Office LAO/030
  • Socio-economic development
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  LAOS - Village Credit Scheme helps improve lives of the poorest of the poor. A story of Naed Vongprya

  Life has been tough since my husband become a disabled person. A few years ago, I wanted to start a household business but no one would give me money beause I had no guaranty for the loan. Then, fortunately I received a first loan of 500,000 kip from the village credit scheme which enabled me to raised some pigs and sell them out for a  good price. I have now borrowed 3,000,000 kip from the village credit scheme to grow my pig raising business. So, thanks to the credit scheme, if things go according to plan, I hope I could earn more income to support my whole family through the next batch of pig selling.

  Nad Vongprya, a member group of village credit scheme, Bolikhan district, Bolikhamxay province. © LuxDev 2019

  To find out more about Naed’s story, watch this video:

  

  The Village credit scheme is part of LAO/030 Programme’s effort seeking to help the poor getting out of extreme poverty and bring them over the national poverty line. The Programme works in 14 of the poorest districts of the  Bokeo, Bolikhamxay, Khammouane and Vientiane provinces and particularly in 229 villages counting together 150 000 inhabitants, 70% of  whom are ethnic groups.

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• • 9 July
  • By LAO/030 programme
  • 
  • Asia Office LAO/030
  • Socio-economic development
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  LAOS - Luxembourg continues to support poverty reduction in Laos

  The LAO/030 programme supports poverty reduction in disadvantaged upland areas through practical development combined with governance strengthening. The primary beneficiaries are 150,000 people, mostly ethnic minority groups, in 229 villages with high poverty rates. The programme also works with Caritas Luxembourg, who is supporting Provincial Nutrition Committees in Bolikhamxay and Vientiane province to alleviate the high rural malnutrition rates. Collaboration with another Luxembourg NGO, ADA, focuses on improving poor people’s access to financial services.

  

  The programme focuses on four approaches:

  • community-led development for practical and strategic priorities;
  • governance strengthening in local development and poverty reduction;
  • delegation to all administrative levels and sectors according to their mandates;
  • policy dialogue, knowledge management and networking informed by practical development work.

  Watch more detail of the programme here: https://youtu.be/elvCpVbq4bA

   

   

   

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• • 3 June
  • By Sandrine THINNES
  • 
  • Asia Office MYA/002
  • Socio-economic development
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  MYANMAR - Harnessing the power of water for a sustainable source of energy

  A natural occurring split in the river near Nam Phu village created an opportunity to construct a hydro-power weir to run two 5 kW low head turbines. The masonry work incorporated much of the natural features and used mostly stones collected from the site.

  

  The villagers of Nam Phu were very well organized and each household sent up to two persons to help the skilled mason crew on a daily basis. The volunteers did an incredible job, especially, as all the construction material had to be hand carried from the drop-off point down through the jungle to the construction site down by the river (one way took 45 min walking).

  

  Most impressive is that the works were completed within 3 weeks. The construction of the weir, the connection of the turbines, the installation of the electric lines, and the connection of the households went all smoothly which contributed greatly to the success of this activity.

  

  

  The test run of the turbines went also very well and the station is now putting out a constant flow of 220 to 230 V. Each of the 52 households in Nam Phu village received 3 LED lightbulbs (3 W), a switchboard with 3 electric plugs, and 15 streetlights were installed throughout the village.

  

  Prior to the hydropower, only a few households were able to afford a solar panel and some electric appliances like a TV/DVD set. Unfortunately, the power to run those sets was never sufficient from the solar panel and so those appliances collected dust. On the first evening of testing the new power source, those TV/DVD sets came out and people gathered to enjoy to sing a song, listen to music or watching a movie from a scratchy DVD.

  

  The villagers of Nam Phu were also beneficiaries of a door-to-door village water system. At the beginning of the year, most villagers did not believe they would be able to enjoy water at their house and electricity. Sometimes, dreams can come true.

  Project MYA/002 will construct more systems at similar locations without too much interference to the natural environment or landscape.

   

   

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• • 3 May
  • By Cynthia Rutare and Nadine Graas
  • 
  • Asia Office MYA/002
  • Socio-economic development
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  MYANMAR - Going digital for data collection in remote villages

  The Annual Project Survey of MYA/002 Project took place from 23 to 31 of March in the 5 Tract area of Kyaing Tong township in East Shan State. This was the first time the project MYA/002 used an open-source digital system (KoboToolbox) for collecting valuable information from households and village chiefs in the project target area. The application allows to reduce the need for data cleaning and speeds up the data analysis process.

  

  Young motivated people from the project area were trained for two days as enumerators to conduct interviews with the households and use the tablets to record responses. Supervised by project staff, the two teams managed to visit 22 sample villages over 7 days. The remote area is very diverse in ethnicity (Lahu, Akha, Shan), culture and religion with Buddhist, Christian and animist beliefs co-existing. Even though the enumerators were from the same area, communication was at times challenging given that the accents of the two main ethnic tribes, Lahu and Akha, vary significantly from one village to another.

  

   

  The first results from the survey look encouraging, 94% of the people interviewed were either highly satisfied or satisfied with the project activities so far. Only 9 % of households experienced rice shortage compared to 13.7% during the baseline survey conducted in 2017. Access to water and electricity also increased significantly in the surveyed area.

  Watch the video : click here

   

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• • 8 February
  • By Mone SYSAVATH
  • 
  • Asia Office LAO/030
  • Socio-economic development
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  LAOS - Luxembourg provides support on nutrition in Bolikhamxay and Vientiane Province

  The Local Development Programme LAO/030 and Caritas Luxembourg join hands in supporting the nutrition sector in the Lao PDR.

  An Executing Agreement (EA) on Nutrition convergence support in LAO/030 target provinces between LuxDev, Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency and Caritas was signed on 8th February 2019 at the Embassy of Luxembourg in Vientiane Lao PDR.

  The EA was jointly signed by the Managing Director of LuxDev, Mr Gaston Schwartz and the President of Caritas Luxembourg, Mrs Marie-Joseé Jacobs. The signing ceremony was attended by Mr Sam Schreiner, Chargé d’Affaires of the Luxembourg Embassy in Vientiane, and by senior Lao officials from the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Health.

  

  This joint support is part of an ongoing development effort of the Luxembourg Aid and Development’s contribution to poverty reduction in Laos, including malnutrition and hunger.

  The overall objectives of the Nutrition convergence are to:

  • strengthen the coordination among government agencies and civil society in nutrition; 
  • build capacity of local authorities and Lao civil society; and 
  • assist in awareness raising of nutrition at community level in the programme target areas in the two provinces.

  The total budget for this project is 312,740 EUR. It will run from February 2019 to December 2020.

  

  This collaboration focusses on improving nutrition through better coordination of the Lao Government’s multisectoral nutrition convergence approach. Caritas will support the provincial nutrition committees in two of the Lao-Luxembourg target provinces, Bolikhamxay and Vientiane.

  Caritas already has experience with similar work in Xiengkhuang Province, and thereby brings both expertise and credibility to the table. Caritas will also be able to facilitate the inclusion of other NGOs and non-profit associations in the network coordinated by the provincial health departments.

  At the same time, the Local Development and the Health Programmes are funding numerous nutrition-related activities in the two provinces, which will benefit from the enhanced coordination by the provincial authorities. These investments will also give leverage to the joint work towards real impact on nutrition in poor communities supported by Luxembourg Aid and Development.

   

   

   

   

   

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