The problems of post-conflict countries are complex and challenging. Conflicts do not follow a smooth progression from escalation to resolution, and each conflict needs to be treated differently. This World Bank report develops guidelines for a response to post-conflict reconstruction, drawing on experience from its operations in sub-Saharan Africa, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Asia and Central America. Post-conflict reconstruction involves supporting the transition from conflict to peace and building up the socioeconomic framework. It does not necessarily mean rebuilding a framework that existed in a country prior to the conflict as in many cases this may not be possible, or desirable, and may have caused the conflict in the first place. Instead, what is necessary is the reconstruction of ‘enabling conditions’ for a functioning society.
The risks of being involved in post-conflict reconstruction work for the Bank are high and it needs to be viewed as a specialised sphere of activity with specific guidelines. The main findings are:
- The causes of violent conflict that lead to the disintegration of the state are little understood
- There are shortcomings in the arrangement for aid coordination for reconstruction: Assistance is fragmented through multiple donors pursuing bilateral programmes; there are administrative burdens; and also time lags between commitments and disbursements
- The need for early engagement is essential. Resources should be made available as soon as conditions on the ground allow
- A strong field presence will enable a more flexible response to the conditions and a more country-specific understanding of what is needed
- Post-conflict countries are too fragile to make the development of rigid performance criteria feasible, so a flexible response is needed. However, their governments must demonstrate a willingness to pursue appropriate policies of economic management.
The main recommendations were:
- Concern for the prevention of conflict should be integrated into a development ‘vision’, which should include social assessments, engagement with civil society, an increased focus on governance and an exploration of the costs of violence
- Reconstruction projects should aim to rebuild links between former combatants and create conditions for the private sector to return and civil society to function and strengthen governance institutions
- Coordination between relief and development agencies is necessary. Partnerships between donors need to be formed as early as possible and a coordination plan needs to be developed
- The Bank should use a five-phased reconstruction framework and should move through these phases according to an assessment of risk. If a situation deteriorates, the Bank should move back to an earlier phase
- The phases are: A ‘watching brief’ to provide knowledge for operations in the future; a ‘transitional support strategy’; early reconstruction activities; post-conflict reconstruction; and a return to normal operations
- The Bank should also rely on ‘pillars’ at the country and regional level – through country and regional teams on the ground, and a post-conflict unit at the Bank.
