After the Storm: Recovery, Resilience Reinforced - Final Evaluation of the Cyclone Nargis Operation in Myanmar, 2008 - 2011

The Cyclone Nargis operation implemented by the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) between 2008 and 2011 successfully contributed to the recovery of communities across 13 townships that had been severely affected by the disaster that occurred on May 2nd and 3rd, 2008. As this report shows, MRCS and IFRC managed to provide relief and recovery against substantial challenges - difficult access for international staff, initial weaknesses of MRCS, and the sheer scale of destruction. The experience of the operation and instrumental support of the IFRC have led to a significantly more capable MRCS. As the operation has wound down, the present and future challenge is for MRCS to sustain its recent capacity gains and to grow further - in order to serve vulnerable communities even better in future.

Based on the review of earlier reports and programme documents, qualitative research, and a community survey, this final evaluation analyses the operation along seven criteria and provides key lessons learnt and recommendations.