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Tsunami Conference Backs Transparent Mechanism to Track Flow of Aid

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (18 March 2005) - Delegates to a high-level conference on reconstruction of countries devastated by the December 2004 tsunami disaster backed today a mechanism that would allow efficient and transparent tracking of the billions of dollars in assistance planned.

The meeting, hosted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) at its Manila Headquarters, proposed developing a consolidated, transparent database in the form of a tracking matrix at the country level.

As a next step, the United Nations Development Programme and ADB will work together with the governments to develop a system to allow the data from the country level matrices to be absorbed into a consolidated regional tracking mechanism. The database will capture all forms of assistance including official development assistance, nongovernment organizations, and private sector support.

"The tracking mechanism presented today will provide a comprehensive overview of operations on the ground and help ensure efficiency, effectiveness and accountability as we work together in rebuilding hundreds of devastated communities in the affected countries," ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda said following the meeting.

The one-day event brought together more than 200 participants, including ministers from five tsunami affected countries - India, Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Thailand - senior officials from donor countries, and representatives of international agencies. Delegates from civil society organizations and the private sector were also attending, as well as local and international media.

The meeting aimed to maintain the momentum and build stronger coordination on the rebuilding process for the countries devastated by the December 2004 earthquake and tsunami disaster and help keep the overall rebuilding effort on track.

Mr. Kuroda said in his opening speech that the size and complexity of the recovery effort, amount of funds coming in, and the large number of agencies involved in the relief and reconstruction efforts make the task ahead highly challenging.

"Given the scale of the recovery, even with our best efforts at coordination, the potential for gaps, overlaps and duplications is significant," Mr. Kuroda said. "We need to develop tools that can assist us in identifying gaps, and avoiding duplications."

Delegates to the event stressed that the planned tracking mechanism needs to be "owned" at country level, complementing the monitoring system that the countries themselves are establishing and not add another layer of complexity.

"The matrix will provide not only a useful tool to track progress, it will help ensure that the world does not lose sight of the development needs of the tsunami affected regions during the critical two to three years of assistance ahead," Mr. Kuroda said.

At the event, the tsunami-affected countries outlined coordination mechanisms that are ongoing as well constraints to coordination. They said that they must lead the recovery effort, including setting reconstruction priorities and coordinate support at the ground level.

Participants also highlighted the important role that the private sector and NGOs can play during rehabilitation and reconstruction. Private sector representatives indicated their willingness to explore how they might help the economies of communities and regions get back on their feet and work with local government and business leaders in ensuring long-term prospects for economic growth.

NGOs have significant resources at their disposal and in many cases have in-depth knowledge of local conditions that will be critical in bringing confidence and social cohesion back to devastated communities, the meeting heard.

The meeting also discussed ways to combat corruption in the use of the massive aid planned, including using the tracking matrix, creating oversight committees with representatives of civil society and the international community, use of multidonor trust funds, such ADB's $600 million Asian Tsunami Fund, and independent audit agents.

Sending a joint video message to the conference were former US Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton, who said they were encouraged by the international coordination effort planned on the tsunami.

Mr. Bush added that on their recent travels to tsunami affected areas, they were assured by governments that accountability and transparency would be top priority.

"They know that the international community is concerned about the use of funds. And they told us they intend to be good stewards of the money raised for their aid," he said. "We encourage all of you to work as cooperatively as possible to help speed delivery to those in need."

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