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Prioritising infrastructure in post-conflict reconstruction

Armed conflicts have terrible consequences for the people affected by them. These conflicts also undermine and damage social and material infrastructure. Reconstructing this infrastructure is essential to sustain post-conflict recovery. Given the complexity of post-conflict contexts, developers must learn to assess situations adequately and set the right priorities.

A study conducted for the United Nations University’s World Institute for Development Economics Research examines different efforts to reconstruct infrastructure in a post-conflict context. Drawing on evidence from Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, East Timor and Rwanda, the study identifies several key challenges with regard to policymaking in infrastructure sectors.

According to latest research nearly two thirds of all armed conflicts took place in developing countries, leading to increased poverty, hunger, HIV/AIDS and child mortality. Each conflict is unique and complex with various contributing factors including political, economic, social and historical aspects. Understanding the causes is crucial for making peace work and reconstruction sustainable.

Investment in infrastructure for maintenance or expansion is often limited in peace time; conflicts worsen the problem. Military spending usually increases significantly at the expense of other sectors including infrastructure. Furthermore, during conflicts existing infrastructure is damaged or destroyed.

Infrastructure includes both ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ assets of society and the rebuilding of social institutions is as important as reconstructing roads and bridges. In a post-conflict context state institutions often remain eroded or weak, with very little trust and limited information among the population. While getting institutions right may be crucial for infrastructure to work, getting institutions to work requires time. On the other hand, humanitarian needs require quick action.

The author highlights the following key issues for developing an agenda for infrastructure planning in post conflict reconstruction:

A framework for priority actions and performance objectives can help to clarify the impact of various alternative strategies. The author suggests assessment in three key dimensions: governance and state building, conflict prevention and peace, and poverty reduction.
Coordination among development organisations needs to be balanced. Too little might lead to duplication, too much does not allow heterogeneity and scope for specialisation.
Local institutions often survive conflict more intact than high level institutions. Along with NGOs they tend to have capacity to deliver in the initial stages. In the long term, however, relevant responsibilities need to be transferred to government ownership.
Reconstruction is not socially neutral and could reinforce long-term causes of inequality.
In the short term urgent needs are being met by relief efforts. However, steps need to be in place to return to normal (more cost effective) operations after the crisis.

The study has shown that infrastructure reconstruction is crucial to ensure recovery after conflicts. Given the many challenges and pressing needs in post-conflict situations those responsible for reconstruction (both local and international organisations, and non-state institutions) have to set the right priorities. Post-conflict reconstruction needs to include humanitarian relief works in the short run and long term strategies to promote sustainable development.

Source(s):
‘Getting Infrastructure Priorities Right in Post-Conflict Reconstruction’, United Nations University, by P. B. Anand, 2005 Full document.

id21 Research Highlight: 2 December 2005

Further Information:
Anand Prathivadi Bhayankaram

Contact the contributor: p.b.anand@bradford.ac.uk

United Nations University - WIDER

United Nations University
World Institute for Development Economics Research
Katajanokanlaituri 6 B
00160 Helsinki
Finland

Tel: + 358 9 6159911
Fax: + 358 9 61599333
Contact the contributor: wider@wider.unu.edu

Bradford Centre for International Development, University of Bradford, UK

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