USAID/OTI BURMA TRANSITION INITIATIVE – SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT (OCTOBER 2017 – MARCH 2018)

The program, also known as "Kann Let," supports local partners and the Government of Myanmar to enhance the ability of key stakeholders to engage in the peace process, strengthen engagement on areas affecting fundamental freedoms, and reduce the influence of drivers of inter-communal conflict. The program works closely with stakeholders in the political and reform process, including local civil society organizations, grassroots organizations, local and national government, and media groups. The program's objectives were revised in June 2017 during a Strategy Review Session, and further refined in January 2018 during a Rolling Assessment. The updated objectives are to enhance the ability of key stakeholders to engage in the peace process, strengthen engagement on areas affecting fundamental freedoms, and reduce the influence of drivers of inter-communal conflict and strengthen the capacity to promote intercommunal harmony. The reporting period of October 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018 was marked by the continuation of problems in Northern Rakhine State, which forced 700,000 predominantly ethnic Rohingya across the border into refugee camps in Bangladesh. The crisis has led to a significant spike in ethnic and religious tensions between Buddhists and Muslims, including violent outbreaks in mixed communities across the country. Growing nationalist sentiment has emboldened military leaders and the Tatmadaw, precipitating an increase in operations against ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) in Kachin and Northern Shan, and some in southern Chin state. The crisis in Rakhine State has been met with widespread international condemnation, with the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights declaring the situation a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing." The Government of Myanmar, including the senior leadership of the NLD and military, has uniformly denied the accusations, even as additional evidence of atrocities surface in the media. The State Counsellor, Aung San Suu Kyi, resisted pressure to address the human rights abuses and voiced support for the military, led by Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing. The program has continued to work with local partners and the Government of Myanmar to address the challenges facing the country. In October 2017, the program supported a workshop on peace and reconciliation in Rakhine State, which brought together local civil society organizations, government officials, and international experts to discuss the crisis and potential solutions. The program also provided support to local organizations working on peace and reconciliation initiatives in other parts of the country. The program's budget for the reporting period was $5.4 million, which was used to support a range of activities, including workshops, training programs, and grants to local organizations. The program's activities were implemented in partnership with local organizations, including the Myanmar ICT for Development Organization and the Mandalay Regional Youth Association. The program's progress was monitored through a range of indicators, including the number of local organizations supported, the number of people reached through training programs and workshops, and the number of peace and reconciliation initiatives implemented. The program's achievements were also evaluated through a range of assessments, including a mid-term evaluation and a final evaluation. The program's lessons learned highlight the importance of building strong relationships with local partners and the Government of Myanmar, as well as the need for sustained support to local organizations working on peace and reconciliation initiatives. The program's achievements demonstrate the potential for USAID/OTI's support to contribute to the deepening and sustaining of reforms and the fostering of legitimate processes for pursuing peace in Myanmar.