Stabilization

 

Stabilization is a political process that addresses a security threat against the State, its territory and population. Civilian stabilization occurs either in support of a negotiated settlement or alongside a military campaign where legitimate State Authorities regain control over territory.

UNDP is the operational arm of a civilian stabilization compact (between the Government, donors and UNDP), working to (re)establish the presence of local authorities and the monopoly on the use of force by the national and local security forces.

    Programme Pillars

    While stabilization processes and activities are context-driven, UNDP stabilization programmes have considerable commonalities as in most stabilization contexts, heads of households will decide to return to their homes if:

    • The area is secure for their family (Pillar 1),
    • The family can access basic social and productive services (Pillar 2),
    • The head has an income to sustain their family (Pillar 3).
    Stabilization Response Mechanism (SRM)

    The Stabilization Response Mechanism (SRM) is a joint initiative by the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), designed to enable rapid, flexible responses to emerging stabilization opportunities in conflict-affected regions.

    This mechanism is designed to initiate or to jumpstart stabilization programming, and not to replace facilities as funding mechanisms.

    The SRM builds on over a decade of experience and aims to bridge the gap between opportunity and action through early alignment and strong leadership.

    Logo for the Foreign Office of Germany, featuring the black eagle and a vertical black-red-gold flag.

     

    Countries and Regions
    Impact

    Stabilization delivers time-bound, localized, integrated, civilian-led interventions that enhance security, rehabilitate social and productive infrastructure, and provide income support at speed and scale.

    Stabilization has a considerable impact by:

    • Extending the state authority.
    • Rebuilding trust between communities and legitimate authorities.
    • Restoring a sense of normalcy, enabling returns, and preventing protracted displacement.
    • Laying the foundations for recovery, peace and development.
    Figures

    As of the end of 2024:

    • $2.1 billion mobilized for UNDP's stabilization programmes since 2015
    • 16.8 million people benefited across Iraq, the Lake Chad Basin, Mozambique, Lebanon and other countries
    • 6 million people returned home after being displaced due to violent conflict
    Resources

    Guidance Note on Stabilization Programming  (English)

    Supports designing, implementing, monitoring, and managing a national (or regional) stabilization programme.

     

    Stabilization Essentials Course  (English / French)

    A self-paced online course on the fundamentals of stabilization. Available on demand for learners at any time.

    Global Stabilization Team

    The Global Stabilization Team is part of the UNDP Crisis Bureau and an integral part of the Bureau’s Crisis Readiness, Response, and Recovery Team.

    The Crisis Bureau spearheads UNDP’s efforts to support countries on a key challenge: how to anticipate, prevent, respond to, and recover from fragility and crisis.

    The Crisis Readiness, Response, and Recovery Team (C3RT) ensures organizational readiness, mobilizes timely and effective response to crises and enables early recovery.

    Contact

    Crisis Readiness, Response and Recovery Team

    Crisis Bureau

    UNDP New York

    stabilization@undp.org