Formal launching programme of the MOALI DRR task force and drone mapping unit

Source(s): Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - Headquarters

The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced that today the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MOALI) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) have officially launched the MOALI Disaster Risk Reduction Task Force and Drone Mapping Team.

The establishment of the DRR Task Force and Drone Mapping Team is a result of longer collaboration among MOALI, FAO and MOE, through the Myanmar Aerospace Engineering University (MAEU), in enhancing application of modern geospatial technology (drones) for DRR in the agriculture sector.

The DRR Task Force is a multi-disciplinary team of experts from the different departments of MOALI that with the technical assistance of FAO will lead the preparation of the Agriculture Sector Action Plan for DRR (AAPDRR). The Drone Mapping Team that operates as a unit of the DRR Task Force, is in charge of utilizing drones to enhance Disaster Preparedness and Response activities of the Ministry. 

The launching ceremony, held at the Department of Agricultural Research, was attended by H.E. Dr. Aung Thu, Union Minister, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, H.E. U Ohn Win, Union Minister, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONREC), H. E. Dr. Tin Htut, Permanent Secretary of Agriculture, MOALI, and a number of high-level representatives of different Departments.

“The establishment of the DRR Task Force and Drone Mapping Team is an important milestone in strengthening country capacities on disaster risk management”, said Ms Xiaojie Fan, FAO Representative in Myanmar. “Today’s event confirms another advancement of Myanmar towards the achievement the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, in particular regarding disaster risk reduction and prevention of negative impacts of climate extreme events” she added.

During the event a Drone fleet, constructed by MAEU and whose designed was based on pilot-mapping experiences with FAO, was handed over by Director General from the Department of Higher Education and Ms Xiaojie Fan, FAO Representative to H.E. Dr. Aung Thu, Union Minister, MOALI.

“With the concerned efforts of FAO and concerned ministries, today’s programme will be able to support the upcoming activities of the Disaster Risk Reduction Task Force related to Disaster Risk Reduction planning for the agriculture sector including crops, livestock, and fisheries; provided an overview, of the drone team responsibilities; and acquired the drone flying, data processing, knowledge and skills through an aerial mapping activity” said in the opening remarks H.E. Dr Aung Thu, Union Minister, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MOALI).

“Application of advanced technology in resource monitoring and management is very important in forestry sector in order to get real time information and support management and decision-making process,” said present at the event H.E. Dr Ohn, Union Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation. “This programme of the MOALI DRR Task Force and Drone Mapping Team will contribute in formulating Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies and building Resilience Livelihood in Myanmar” he added.

The event included an overview of preliminary agriculture sector priorities identified by the MOALI DRR Task Force in May 2017, and a Drone flight demonstration that followed presentation on the different applications on drone mapping technology for DRR in agriculture. FAO Myanmar in collaboration with the Myanmar Aerospace Engineering University (MAEU) has utilized Drones for post-disaster damage assessment in Myanmar since 2016. In July 2017, FAO collaborated with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement and MOALI, to map areas affected by floods in Magway Region. The information collected by the Drone Mapping Team were used by the Department of Relief and Resettlement (DRR) to better understand flood vulnerable and affected communities, and enhance future collaborative mapping work.

FAO’s work in support of the establishment of the DRR Task Force and Drone Mapping Team was financed by the generous contribution of the Government of Japan.

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