Crisis Prevention and Recovery

Overview

PREVENTION AND RISK REDUCTION

UNDP works to prevent and reduce the risk of two types of crises:  natural disasters and armed conflict.  While the dynamics of disaster and conflict situations differ, there are approaches which are common to both.  UNDP seeks to build national and local capacity through the development of tools and training of personnel.  One aspect of this training is focused on convening and facilitation skills which enable stakeholders to solve problems through constructive dialogue. Overall, UNDP promotes the integration of prevention considerations into long-term development planning.

Conflict Prevention and Peace-building

UNDP promotes prevention and peace-building to reduce and avert conflict.   Building skills among key stakeholders enables them to convene problem-solving discussions as an alternative to violence.  Raising awareness of contentious issues for development planners and policymakers allows them to integrate prevention measures into the long-term development agenda. UNDP undertakes its prevention and peacebuilding activities in collaboration with UN Departments and agencies, including the UN Department of Political Affairs, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions.

Natural Disaster Prevention and Risk Reduction

UNDP has contributed to a large portfolio of natural disaster risk management programs spread over 60 countries.  UNDP assists in identifying the causal factors of disasters, researching new risk patterns (such as those related to weather and climate change), supporting national disaster reduction strategies, and responding to sudden on-set crises such as earthquakes and mudslides. 

There is an overall priority of facilitating knowledge exchange, and setting regional and international standards and policy.  In addition, there is an emphasis on developing the human and institutional capacity of governments and other UN agencies. For all its natural disaster activities, UNDP operates within the framework of the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction which aims at building disaster resilient communities by promoting increased awareness of the importance of disaster reduction as an integral component of sustainable development.

As a result of UNDP’s effort to have natural disaster prevention integrated into development planning, Pakistan is incorporating risk reduction measures into recovery programmes following its December 2005 earthquake. Similarly, following the 2004 tsunami, with UNDP assistance Sri Lanka has developed a national roadmap for disaster risk reduction.

Small Arms Control and the Reduction of Armed Violence

UNDP seeks to reduce the incidence of armed violence through the collection, stockpile management, and destruction of small arms and light weapons.  Many of the world’s poorest countries are affected by high levels of armed violence, whether in the situations of crime or conflict.  Small arms, which are cheap, durable and widely available, are the weapons of choice in gang warfare, organized crime, civil wars and inter-state conflict. As stated by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, “The accumulation and proliferation of small arms and light weapons continues to be a serious threat to peace, stability and sustainable development.”

RECOVERY

Following disasters and armed conflict, UNDP assists UN country offices and national governments to stabilize human security and lay the foundation for a return to normalcy. Recovery is a multi-dimensional process which begins in the early phases of a humanitarian response.  Recovery encompasses economic, governance, social, and security dimensions, and considers the specific vulnerabilities of displaced populations. As in prevention, strengthening capacity of national authorities and civil society; facilitating dialogue and community-driven solutions; and integrating with long-term development plans are key to UNDP’s approach in recovery situations. In addition, there are some key technical areas which are relevant.

UNDP has been selected to lead early recovery activities on behalf of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), a coordinating body for UN and non-UN humanitarian partners. Two primary objectives of this coordinated effort are comprehensive planning of early recovery activities, and improved integration of early recovery into existing programming.  To achieve these goals, efforts will be made to develop tools and methods to assess post-disaster and post-conflict needs.  In addition, the fast, predictable mobilization of technical expertise will also be a priority.

Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration of Ex-combatants

Following a violent conflict, former combatants pose a threat to security.  Failure to address their needs can undermine the peace process and result in a slide back into war.  Programmes that disarm, demobilize and reintegrate former combatants have become critical to post-conflict transition and peace building. UNDP works with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations to implement integrated Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration standards which to date have been applied in Haiti and Sudan.

Mine Action

UNDP is charged with addressing the obstacle to economic activity and long-term development presented by landmine contamination.   At the country level, UNDP helps to develop removal strategies; supports national management systems; assists with the implementation of landmine-related legal obligations; provides training; raises citizen awareness of how to manage landmine risks; and advocates for the inclusion of mine action in national development plans.  UNDP is currently providing assistance in the handling, storage and destruction of landmine stockpiles in Iraq, where caches of munitions fuel ongoing conflict and contribute to the insurgency.

Throughout 2005, UNDP worked with stakeholders in the mine action and development communities to identify countries best suited for the Partnership for Completion Initiative.  This Initiative accelerates mine action activities in countries where a concentrated effort plus a relatively modest investment can resolve landmine problems in a short time. UNDP assisted countries to develop plans that specified the scope of the problem, available national resources, required external resources needed, and the proposed timeframe for eradication.

Reintegration of Displaced Persons

A major consequence of conflict is displacement.  Today, there exist over 34 million refugees and internally displaced persons, mainly in Africa.  BCPR assists UNDP country offices to develop holistic, integrated reintegration and rehabilitation plans for areas of return.  Working closely with UNHCR, UNICEF and other UN agencies, NGO and government partners, UNDP works to rebuild communities, focused both on the visible reconstruction of, for example, roads and houses and on the more intangible but crucial social capital aspects.  At the same time, UNDP assists local authorities to lead the process of expanding access to social services and justice through provision of technical assistance and training. 

Risk Reduction and Restoration of Basic Services

Following disasters, UNDP works to ensure that risks associated with natural hazards are reduced during recovery and reconstruction.  This includes making sure that reconstructed infrastructure and restored livelihoods are less vulnerable to future hazard events.  Early recovery operations also encompass the transition from reliance on relief assistance to reliance on local resources for meeting basic needs such as water, food, shelter and health care.  Restoring democratic and economic governance is also a key priority.

Transitional Justice and Security Sector Reform

Following violent conflict, it is necessary to provide closure to past events and establish the enabling environment for a safe future.  UNDP assists in the design and implementation of transitional justice activities including truth commissions, reparations, and reconciliation events.  UNDP is also involved in the return of rule of law through equitable enforcement of rules and regulations.  Other components of security sector reform include development of functioning judiciary and penal systems, and training of police and military in issues such as sexual violence and human rights.