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| CPR Newsletter: Securing development, peace and justice for all | |
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Recovering from violent conflict
Building on the momentum created by the peace negotiations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2002-2003, UNDP started working with representatives of armed groups, setting up a model for future DDR programmes. DDR is considered a vital component of peacebuilding, acting as a bridge between immediate security and longer-term development priorities in the transition from violent conflict to peace. In this context, the transition government of the DRC and the Multi-Country Demobilization and Reintegration Programme partners called on UNDP to lead the establishment of a national programme. In response, UNDP provided national authorities with substantial technical and operational support to help define programme components and legal frameworks and conduct feasibility studies on demobilization and reintegration. In addition, UNDP coordinated a highly diversified network of partners to support the national programme, including transitional authorities, donors, national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), military representatives and local authorities. In April 2004, when the institutional, operational and financial conditions for the launch of the national DDR programme were created, UNDP formally transferred its mandate to the new National DDR Commission (CONADER). The DDR process is highly affected by the shifting priorities of the political agenda in the DRC. This requires a high level of flexibility and readiness. To provide better support, UNDP set up a rapid response mechanism (RRM)–a financial and operational engine to address emergencies that threaten the evolution of the DDR programme. The RRM uses a risk matrix to detect potential contingencies, a rapid disbursement system and a pre-established network of service providers. RRM has played an effective role in dealing with spontaneous disarmament. Since January 2004, UNDP has been involved in the conception and execution of the Ituri Disarmament and Community Reintegration Programme, in which, for the first time, UNDP was in charge of the whole programme cycle: from setting up transit sites for combatants to economic reintegration, including payment of subsidies, biometric registration and employment generation. Through the programme, UNDP has enabled the demobilization of more than 31,000 ex-combatants in eastern DRC. A second demobilization phase for the remaining militia groups is currently taking place, which had demobilized another 6,000 ex-combatants by August 2006. UNDP also launched a pilot initiative in support of war-disabled ex-combatants with the involvement of the Japanese Government and the private sector. Because UNDP links DDR to broader post-conflict peacebuilding and recovery processes, UNDP has established a portfolio of peacebuilding, recovery and community development projects that support the reintegration of ex-combatants. A recovery support network of six projects has been set up with implementing partners including national and international NGOs, civil society, local authorities, and the private sector. The network has a budget of more than USD 35 million from 11 different donors. In the five eastern provinces, UNDP has carried out work targeted at social and public infrastructure, which provided temporary employment to more than 10,000 persons including ex-combatants and host communities members. To improve the absorption capacity of the hosting communities, UNDP has carried out rehabilitation projects at more than 60 schools for approximately 36,000 pupils; provided access to drinking water to more than 600,000 persons; rebuilt more than 20 health centres and 4 hospitals; and launched income generating activities for more than 80,000 persons, more than 50 percent of whom are women. UNDP has also ensured it works with the wider UN system in addressing DDR. In this respect, UNDP has partnered with UNICEF in the development of a child demobilization strategy. It has also worked with UNFPA and other UN agencies in relation to mainstreaming gender, gender-based violence and reproductive health considerations within the DDR programmes. A joint programme with UNHCR has started to rehabilitate infrastructures in the return areas of war-affected populations, including ex-combatants.
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