Post-Conflict reconstruction

Post-Conflict reconstruction is commonly perceived as a process of restoring pre-conflict physical infrastructure. However, as a concept, it also deals with the broader need to rebuild the socio-economic structure and the institutional capacity in war torn countries.3 Postconflict reconstruction requires a lengthy commitment from all stakeholders involved, both internally and externally, and an extensive, and often risky, financial investment in the future of fragile States. In 2002 a consortium of International actors, including the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, published the Post Conflict Reconstruction Framework. The Framework identifies three phases of activity between the cessation of violent conflict and the return to normalisation. While overlapping and not always consistent, the phases (noted below) are helpful in identifying priorities and understanding the continuum from war to peace. The initial response: comes immediately after the end of widespread violence and is characterised by the provision of emergency humanitarian services, stability and military interventions to provide basic security. Internationally such responses also include the deployment of peacekeepers (See chapter on peace support operations). The transformation or transition phase: is a period in which legitimate local capacities emerge and should be supported, with particular attention needed for restarting the economy, including physical reconstruction, ensuring functional structures for governance and judicial processes and laying the foundations for the provision of basic social welfare such as education and health care. The final phase or the period for fostering sustainability: is a time when recovery efforts should be consolidated to help prevent the resurgence of conflict. Military actors particularly international peacekeeperswithdraw and society begins to normalise during this phase. The critical role of local populations in post conflict reconstruction is often overshadowed by the arrival of major international actors, but there is acknowledgment that ultimately effective and sustainable reconstruction is largely determined by the commitment and capacities of local populations, including national government and civil society, to maintain the process. Increasingly, international actors are reaching out to local organisations in partnership for reconstruction efforts. Yet, often women and grassroots groups at the front lines of recovery are marginalised and excluded.

WHAT IS SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND RECONSTRUCTION?

The social and economic dimensions of reconstruction include re-establishing the functional components of society, including: restoring internal security, including the reintegration of uprooted populations, and disarming, demobilising and reintegrating former combatants (see related chapters); Building administrative and governance capacities repairing physical infrastructure, including building homes, roads and bridges; restoring water, electricity and fuel supplies; repairing schools, markets and hospitals; recruiting personnel; and providing the training necessary for operations and maintenance; Establishing functioning financial infrastructures and economic restructuring. This includes creating a credible banking and financial system; fiscal planning and budgets; restoring an economic base drawing on traditional agricultural or pastoral production and existing industries; and creating an environment conducive to generating new sources of income and economic growth. Ventures, skills training, development of new establishing a credible and functioning judicial system, including processes for drafting legislation, reforming courts and judicial processes, recruiting personnel, providing training and initiating a national legal literacy program (see chapters on transitional justice and human rights); and Ensuring social well-being, including the health care needs of the population, (e.g. food security, providing basic social services and rebuilding education systems). Clearly these issues are not unique to post conflict settings, but the phase of conflict can determine the primary actors, the type of assistance most needed and what can be provided.

THE ACTORS

Many of the key factors involved in post conflict reconstruction are listed below. Although in the majority of cases, as noted, they have specific policies on gender mainstreaming and the empowerment of women, these policies often are not effectively implemented at the field level.

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), which focuses on poverty reduction through loans, guarantees and advisory services to middle-income creditworthy countries; International Development Association (IDA), which provides interest-free loans to the worlds 81 poorest nations; International Finance Corporation (IFC), which promotes economic development by supporting the private sector; International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), which encourages foreign investment by providing arbitration and mediation services in case of disputes.

Since the 1990s, the World Bank has become increasingly involved in post conflict aid activities. Between 1980 and 1998 the Banks lending to post conflict countries increased by 800 percent, which represented 16 percent of the Banks total lending activity that year. More recent figures indicate that World Bank assistance to post conflict countries amounts to some 25 percent of its lending.

The Bank also has a Post Conflict Fund (PCF) that gives grants for social and physical reconstruction. It is administered by the Conflict Prevention and Reconstruction Unit. The Fund accepts applications from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society groups in conflict regions, but uses world Bank country offices to assess the viability of requests. The country offices must endorse and recommend applicants to the PCF.

THE FOUR PILLARS OF RECONSTRUCTION: The framework tasks are organized around four distinct issue areas, or pillars: security; justice/reconciliation; social/economic well-being; and governance/participation. Security addresses all aspects of public safety, in particular establishment of a safe and secure environment and development of legitimate and stable security institutions. Security encompasses the provision of collective and individual security, and is the precondition for achieving successful outcomes in the other pillars. In the most pressing sense, it concerns securing the lives of civilians from immediate and largescale violence and the restoration of territorial integrity. Justice and Reconciliation addresses the need for an impartial and accountable legal system and for dealing with past abuses; in particular, creation of effective law enforcement, an open judicial system, fair laws, humane corrections systems, and formal and informal mechanisms for resolving grievances arising from conflict. These tasks encompass the provision of mechanisms to redress grievances, exact appropriate penalties for previous acts, and build capacity to promulgate and enforce the rule of law. Incorporating the concept of restorative justice, they include extraordinary and traditional efforts to reconcile ex-combatants, victims, and perpetrators. Social and Economic Well-Being addresses fundamental social and economic needs; in particular provision of emergency relief, restoration of essential services to the population, laying the foundation for a viable economy, and initiation of an inclusive, sustainable development program. Often accompanying the establishment of security, well-being entails protecting the population from starvation, disease, and the elements. As the situation stabilizes, attention shifts from humanitarian relief to longterm social and economic development. Governance and Participation addresses the need for legitimate, effective political and administrative institutions and participatory processes; in particular, establishing a representative constitutional structure, strengthening public sector management and administration, and ensuring active and open participation of civil society in the formulation of government and its policies. Governance involves setting rules and procedures for political decision-making, and delivering public services in an efficient and transparent manner. Participation encompasses the process for giving voice to the population through the development of civil society that includes the generation and exchange of ideas through advocacy groups, civic associations, and the media.

ASSIGNMENT

INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL WORK

POST CONFLICT RECONSTRUCTION

SUBMITTED TO: Prof. SHAKEELA BASHEER

SUBMITTED BY: D.J.BENEDICT ABRAHAM (MSWIS/10/30)