Geneva, 13 November 2021 (GNP/ TDI): Representatives of UNDP Citizens from Iraq, Myanmar, and Nigeria share ideas on how humanitarian peace development provides fertile grounds for planting seeds of peace in advance and preventing future problems.
Geneva Peace Week: UNDP
UNDP launched this year’s Geneva Peace Week (GPW21) with peacebuilding and humanitarian themes. Partners by exploring how concerted and cohesive efforts between human development and peace actors can support and maintain peaceful communities.
The GPW21 theme, From Seed to Peace Processes: Facing modern challenges. Explores the importance of ensuring that all our actions contribute to peace and are integrated systematically in the way we work.
In a crisis, intervention, assistance, and peace should not be considered sequentially. Waiting for the state to emerge from an emergency to help people before laying the foundations for sustainable development or lasting peace puts them at risk of keeping those living in conflict trapped in a cycle of crisis, where new drivers of conflict and instability cover up existing grievances and never really resolved.
Responsive and Flexible approach: UNDP
What is needed is a very responsive and flexible approach where the three are used simultaneously and reinforce each other. We should also place more emphasis on people-centered approaches, local skills, and move beyond the ‘do no harm principle.
Such a method is called humanitarian-development peace. HDP works under the mantra ‘to prevent constant, development where possible and human action if necessary. In Iraq, Myanmar, and Nigeria, experience has shown that such an integrated approach can have a profound effect on ending a cycle of problems and placing communities on the path to peaceful, sustainable development.
Last year, Iraq not only suffered from COVID but also political unrest and a sharp drop in oil revenues. While Iraq’s financial situation is slowly recovering, basic human needs remain the same as 4.1 million people in need of humanitarian assistance – of which 2.4 million are in dire need.
About 25% of the population lives below the world’s poverty line. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) also had a limited revival during the pandemic. We have learned from experience that turning away from weakness and recovering from a pandemic can only be achieved through a solid foundation of trust between the state and society.
Corruption and security are at the forefront of many Iraqi people’s grievances and recent elections. This gives the new government a chance to rebuild trust by considering these priorities and establishing an equitable and participatory social contract.
UNDP in Iraq
The UNDP in Iraq has presented several joint initiatives such as its Socio-Economic Impact Analysis series. Focusing on weakness ensures a deeper understanding of the impact of the COVID and the underlying causes of vulnerability.
UNDP also integrated the lens into the development of strategies, programs. Such as the launch of the Durable Solutions strategy in partnership with IOM. As well as a plan to address the specific needs of individuals and displaced communities, including. those thought to be related to ISIL.
UNDP’s multi-party strengthening approach was also designed as a comprehensive intervention mechanism to protect against the threat of violent conflict. The inefficiency of government, socio-economic vulnerability, and gender inequality. This builds on the premise that priorities and stabilization needs fall between the scope of humanitarian assistance, development, and peacebuilding.
Myanmar, the shock of COVID
In Myanmar, the combined shock of COVID-19 and military coups is felt across the country. Fundamental human rights are threatened, the democratic environment is demarcated and lawlessness is declining rapidly.
About half of the population is expected to fall below the national poverty line by 2022. Poverty is likely to return to levels never seen before in 2005. Critical resources (4.5% of pre-COVID-19 GDP) will be needed to lift the poor above the national average. the poverty line.
In addition to the increasing vulnerability in many competitive nations. Many cities are now deeply rooted in uprisings, leading to increasing poverty. Given this situation, a little focus and prioritization of humanitarian programs in the current crisis can be detrimental to the community’s vulnerability.
Under the UN program to address socio-economic stability. UNDP uses a coordinated approach through its First Social Plan. Which helps address the basic needs of vulnerable people in urban and rural areas while promoting resilience to current and future crises.
The UNDP has an important role to play in mobilizing and promoting acts that address the root causes of conflict and help build lasting peace. And ensure that these efforts are maintained, before, during, and after disasters. This means having the right people in the right place at the right time.