Focus group discussion in Dar Paing camp for Access to Services Monitoring

In July 2013, DRC started its CCCM project as Camp Management Agency for the Cluster - covering the needs of 50,000 people in six IDP camps.

The situation in Rakhine State is still far from stable; camp management services were introduced one year after the onset of the crisis. Consequently, many challenges continue, including representation of the leadership structures in camps, lack of humanitarian registration, cooperation with authorities and lack of participation of partner agencies in some areas.

Despite these difficulties, the DRC camp management team is dedicated to deliver the best possible support in camps. In addition to daily service monitoring and shelter maintenance, DRC is leading new initiatives within the Cluster to standardize access to service monitoring for partners working in camps to improve the relationship between camp management and agencies providing services, making the information collected useful for all clusters, enabling the identification of trends, and improving accountability to camp populations.

With the majority of life saving services in place, it is now time to look at improving the wellbeing and mental health of the affected populations living in camps. The Community Services aspect of Camp Management has thrived in recent months, with DRC’s activities ranging from the rehabilitation of football and cane ball pitches to the provision of “library days” in the camps.

Text and Photo: Isla Fraser