ASEAN kick-off the post-Nargis Joint Assessment yesterday on 2 June 2008. Participating in this joint assessment team are the ASEAN Emergency Rapid Assessment Team (ERAT), UN representatives and experts from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. “I have high hopes on the joint assessment team. Based on the assessment report that they will produce, we will be able to identify the needs of the Cyclone Nargis’ victims and intensify our efforts in the most needed areas,” said the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan.
  
The assessment, led by ASEAN and the UN, will produce a comprehensive report on the relief, recovery, and rehabilitation phases.

The first progress report will be available by the 3rd Task Force Meeting scheduled for 24-25 June 2008, with the final report due to be released in mid-July 2008.

Dr. Surin Pitsuwan will be in Yangon on 4 June 2008 to visit the ASEAN Task Force Office and meet with the members of the ASEAN ERAT.

“ASEAN is committed to helping our friends in Myanmar and will continue to do so,” said Dr. Surin. “The deployment of ASEAN ERAT is just the beginning of our commitments.”

___________________

Dr. Surin is scheduled to hold a press conference upon his return. Details of the press conference will be furnished when available.