The Socio-Economic Program (SEP) deployed in the Yadana pipeline
region applies one of the principles stated in Total's Code of Conduct and reiterated by Total's subsidiary
in Myanmar, to contribute through its activities to the economic
and social development of the countries in which the Group operates,
in particular the progress of host communities.
Launched in 1995, even before the fieldwork began, the program has always
been considered an integral part of the Yadana project. Its priorities, which
were defined with the villagers, focus on four key areas: health, education,
economic development and infrastructure.
The program expresses the long-term commitment made by all investors
involved in the Yadana project: Total, Unocal, Petroleum Authority
of Thailand
Exploration & Production (PTT-EP) and Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise
(MOGE). Initially intended for residents of the 13 villages closest to
the pipeline, it
was extended to 25 villages in the pipeline region since 2001 (of which 2 villages in 2005). The pipeline area covered by the socio-economic program is located in the south of Myanmar in Tanintharyi Division. It is a 4 to 5-hour drive from Kanbauk to the nearest towns, Dawei in the south (60 kms) and Ye in the north (90 kms). In 2006, the program directly supported 25 villages, with a population of about 36,700. It is estimated that the overall population of the pipeline area now benefiting from the program is over 50,000 people. The program also includes initiatives
outside the pipeline region, such as support for orphanages in the Yangon region,
a nation-wide blindness prevention program, an HIV/AIDS program for HIV-positive tuberculosis patients, hospitals and a home for
the
elderly.
The program achieves a balance through a combination of ongoing dialogue with
the villagers and economic and social development measures financed by the
project. Its success requires genuine commitment from the villages and
villagers, since it must drive a sustainable improvement in living conditions
throughout the region. It therefore has to meet the needs of the residents and
respect their culture and way of living, which is why it was imperative to put
Myanmar nationals in charge of its implementation. All members of the SEP team
are Myanmar nationals and all the related projects (e.g., clinics, schools,
transportation infrastructure) are owned by the local communities concerned or
by the villagers themselves (agricultural and small business projects).
Total decided to submit its initiatives to the critical scrutiny of
an independent expert, the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Collaborative for Development
Action (CDA), a US organization that specializes in issues related
to development aid and the management of projects in conflict and post-conflict
environments. CDA clients include governments, international organizations,
NGOs
and universities. Its Corporate Engagement Project, in which Total and
UNOCAL participate as well as several governments, is designed to help
multinational corporations clarify the impact of
their operations in areas affected by socio-political tensions or conflict.
The CDA has completed four visits to the Yadana pipeline region, in October 2002, April and December 2003 and in April 2005. It considers that Total’s
initiatives have had a positive impact, but offers a number of suggestions
for making them more effective. Total also asked Bernard Kouchnerfor advice concerning its operations
in Myanmar because of his experience with humanitarian medical aid
and his political
vision. Dr. Kouchner traveled to Myanmar in March 2003 and submitted
a report to Total whose findings generally concur with those of the
CDA.
