THE LOCAL POPULATION &REBUILDING RECONSIDERED

Topics Today Readings

LOCAL POPULATION Social exclusion, poverty, etc. Coping Mechanisms Local Population & Disaster Myths

REBUILDING RECONSIDERED Peace agreements Many tasks Zubaida

Local PopulationConcepts that require more work Poverty Social Exclusion Vulnerability Structural Violence

Is Social Integration the opposite of Social Exclusion?

Security Governance/democratization Economic National Reconciliation

Coping MechanismsCOPING DEFINITION:

Managing the physical, political and social means (resources) of gaining a livelihood (in times of adversity)

TYPES OF COPING STRATEGIES (diverse!)

PREVENTIVE STRATEGIES: The role of the state is important for large scale

activities; avoiding dangerous activities saving & storing finding save locations (buildings, migration)

Coping MechanismsPREVENTIVE & DURING Impact Minimizing Strategies (minimize loss and

facilitate recovery): access to food, shelter, and physical security; diversification (e.g., non-agricultural income

sources in rural areas) strengthening or multiplying social support

networks (e.g., family or clan ties)

Creation and maintenance of labor power get children (earn income & social security)

Coping Mechanisms Building up Stores of Food and Saleable Assets:

storage of grain or other saleable assets (buffer)

accumulation of small stock & animals, herd size variation

Diversification of Production Strategy: variety of crops, activities

& landholdings (e.g., altitudes); Income sources: migration & remittances,

crafts, extractive enterprise (charcoal, honey), hawking, “using” the relief system.

Coping Mechanisms Development of social support networks:

rights & obligations (family roles, rich & poor, marriage)

Women, children, and older people generally have the hardest time

moral economy (patrons & clients: noblesse oblige, alms, neighborly assistance)

Many of these networks are in decline!

Coping MechanismsPOST-EVENT COPING STRATEGIES (in protracted

conflict this becomes an ongoing strategy, it’s not just economic, dignity & respect are also important): all of the above but especially:

reducing food consumption (e.g., selling seeds); labor migration & becoming a refugee; petty trading (hawking); accumulation of debt; gathering wild foodstuffs; sale or pledging of assets (livestock, land, jewelry);

prostitution or becoming a combatant.

Coping Conclusions Local people will do most of the work themselves There are efficiency problems and short term

considerations become more important than long term ones

It is hard but necessary to assess & understand local coping mechanisms (regional differences, e.g., Sudan and Congo)

Link capacities and coping mechanisms Don’t forget that macro factors also matter, e.g., in

peace agreements (security, governance, economic transitions, national reconciliation)

Discuss hand-out

Myths and Realities of DisastersMyths and Realities of Disasters

Myth #1: Foreign volunteers with any kind of medical

background are needed.

Reality in Nat. disaster: The local population almost always covers immediate

lifesaving needs. Only medical personnel with skills that are not available in the affected country may be needed.

In CE: Although more medical volunteers may be needed, especially if the conflicts has become protracted, it is still important that only personnel with skills that are nor available locally will “come to the rescue”.

Adapted from Noji EK. The Public Health Consequences of Disasters. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 1997.

Myths and Realities of DisastersMyths and Realities of DisastersMyth #2: Any kind of international assistance is needed, and it is needed now!

Reality in Nat. disaster : A hasty response contributes to the chaos. It is better to wait until

needs have been assessed. Most needs are met by the victims and local government and agencies, not by foreign assistance.

In CE: Prevent hasty response & assess needs and capacities. Action should be politically informed, not politically driven, and based on an understanding of all root causes. Moreover, foreign assistance will generally be needed for a long time (diplomatic, financial, knowledge, etc.)

Adapted from Noji EK. The Public Health Consequences of Disasters. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 1997.

Myths and Realities of DisastersMyths and Realities of DisastersMyth #3: Epidemics and plagues are inevitable after every disaster.

Reality in Nat. disaster :Epidemics do not spontaneously occur after a disaster, and dead

bodies will not lead to catastrophic outbreaks of diseases. The keys to preventing disease are improving sanitary conditions and educating the public.

In CE: when the population gets exhausted & underfed, while sanitary conditions and health education break down, epidemics and plagues become more common. Population movements can spur epidemics. Violence and breakdown of social norms, e.g., rape, can also cause rapid spread of diseases. Higher mortality is not just caused by direct violence.

Adapted from Noji EK. The Public Health Consequences of Disasters. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 1997.

Myths and Realities of DisastersMyths and Realities of Disasters

Myth #4: Disasters bring out the worst in human behavior (for example, looting and rioting).

Reality in Nat. disaster : Although isolated cases of antisocial behavior

exist, most people respond spontaneously and generously.

In CE: violent conflict can bring out the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Adapted from Noji EK. The Public Health Consequences of Disasters. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 1997.

Myths and Realities of DisastersMyths and Realities of DisastersMyth #5: The affected population is too shocked and helpless to

take responsibility for its own survival.

Reality in Nat. disaster : Many people find new strength during an emergency.

For example, after the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, thousands of volunteers spontaneously united to search through the rubble for victims.

In CE: It is remarkable how resilient people are, but societal divides, traumas, ec. underdevelopment, etc. intensify and may continue for generations. Still, peace can “break out”.

Adapted from Noji EK. The Public Health Consequences of Disasters. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 1997.

Myths and Realities of Myths and Realities of DisastersDisasters

Myth #6: Disasters are random killers.

Reality in Nat. disaster : Disasters strike hardest at the most vulnerable

groups -- the poor, and especially women, children, and the elderly (also include handicapped and Dutch people).

In CE: In addition to vulnerable groups, some groups (ethnic, religious, soc. ec. position, etc.) are especially targeted, sometimes leading to massacres and/or genocide.

Adapted from Noji EK. The Public Health Consequences of Disasters. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 1997.

Myths and Realities of DisastersMyths and Realities of DisastersMyth #7: Locating disaster victims in temporary settlements

is the best alternative.

Reality in Nat. disaster : It should be the last alternative. Funds normally

spent for tents can be used for building materials, tools, and other construction-related support in the affected country.

In CE: It should also be the last alternative, but with large population movement temporary settlements, in particular camps, may become inevitable. Such alternatives as self settlement and settlement with the local population should be studied.

Adapted from Noji EK. The Public Health Consequences of Disasters. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 1997.

Myths and Realities of Myths and Realities of DisastersDisasters

Myth #8: Food aid is always required for natural

disasters.

Reality in Nat. disaster : Natural disasters only rarely cause loss of

crops. Therefore, victims do not require massive food aid.

In CE: Food aid can become important, but should complement local efforts. It can disrupt markets and agricultural systems. Sometimes, its theft can exacerbate conflict.

Adapted from Noji EK. The Public Health Consequences of Disasters. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 1997.

Myths and Realities of DisastersMyths and Realities of Disasters

Myth #9: Clothing is always needed by the victims of a

disaster.

Reality in Nat. disaster : Used clothing is almost never needed. It is

almost always culturally inappropriate and, although accepted by disaster victims, is almost never worn.

In CE: Probably more needed, but not a lot more.

Adapted from Noji EK. The Public Health Consequences of Disasters. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 1997.

Myths and Realities of DisastersMyths and Realities of Disasters

Myth #10:Things are back to normal within a few weeks.

Reality in Nat. disaster : The effects of a disaster last a long time. Financial and

material resources are depleted in the immediate post-impact phase. Successful relief programs recognize that international interest wanes just as needs and shortages become more pressing.

In CE: Even more intense, the effects can last generations. Rebuilding is complex, violent conflict can recur

Adapted from Noji EK. The Public Health Consequences of Disasters. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 1997.

Rebuilding Reconsidered (Re-)Foundational Times (Wilson): Rebuilding a

society & social contract & actually establish laws Infinite Challenges & Different stages (see Ball’s 4

points) Each challenge deserves a separate study or class

(e.g., chapters in Moore w. preventive & rebuilding component) Moral reconstruction Sanctions (before & after) Arms transfer (also higher crime rates) Aids (also weakened health system, Congo)

Question remains: where can outsiders help most effectively (see Osler Hampson)

Rebuilding ReconsideredBy sustaining a process of mediation, negotiation,

and assistance with the subsequent implemen-tation of the peace settlement, third parties can help bring an end to military conflict and lay the basis for a durable settlement that advance the process of national reconciliation in divided societies. The challenge is to cultivate ripeness. Third parties can help sustain the commitment and cooperation of the disputing parties in the overall peacemaking and peace-building process.

Rebuilding ReconsideredSettlement that fail have generally been “orphaned,”

because third parties either failed to remain fully engaged in implementing the settlement or were unable to muster the requisite level of resources, both economic and political, to build the foundations for a secure settlement.

This often happens when the “spotlight is turned off”.

Rebuilding ReconsideredOH discusses the elements of the terms of

settlement (e.g., all parties need to be involved, power-sharing), as well as tasks & dilemmas for third parties:

demobilization, restructuring (self-)enforcement, continued mediation and re-negotiation, establishing norms (armed forces, police, judiciary

and legal system) However, do justice and peace go hand in hand?

Proxy governance

Rebuilding ReconsideredThird parties need other third parties if they are to

work efficiently and effectively in nurturing the conditions for peace. No single third party has the resources or leverage to make the peace process work. Great powers need the local support of a country’s neighbors. Regional actors and groups need the assistance of sub-regional groups. Governments and international organizations also require the active assistance and involvement of NGOS and agencies, particularly during implementation of the agreement.

Rebuilding ReconsideredPos. role of outsiders (process factors): Peacebuilding & dev. need to go together Take a long time frame for rebuilding Division of labor between actors (joint strategy) Informal policy dialogue & formal performance

criteria National reconciliation

Solve specific problems to prevent “domination Increase opportunities for participation by civil

society

Rebuilding reconsideredHowever, both Osler Hampson and

Ball still have an outsiders perspective insufficiently tell how actual

implementation (e.g., priority setting takes place)

Don’t tell enough about participation

First steps, to study a situation where all individual topics require more attention simultaneously.

Topics Today ReadingsLOCAL POPULATION Social exclusion, poverty, etc. Coping Mechanisms Local Population & Disaster MythsREBUILDING RECONSIDERED Peace agreements Many tasks Zubaida Have a great thanksgiving