1.5 billion People live in areas affected by conflict, fragility and violence, yet not one low-income fragile or conflict-affected state has achieved a single Millennium Development Goal. 29 of the 42 countries at the bottom of the UNDP Human Development Index are classified as fragile – and aid is a crucial resource in many of these countries. In September the Islamic Relief Policy Unit contributed to a statement proposing a number of steps to improve the effectiveness of aid in contexts of conflict and fragility.
It is primarily focused on the statement that will be adopted at the Busan High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in December 2011, but it is recognised throughout that this issue is relevant above and beyond Busan and will remain a pressing issue for the development community in the coming years. This statement draws from consultations, as well as the collective inputs of civil society organisations working in situations of fragility and conflict around the world. It seeks to ensure that both donors and partner governments address Aid Effectiveness from the perspective of the ultimate Aid beneficiaries: the people.
Fragility and Conflict are not only characterised by weak capacity and ownership, as highlighted in the Paris Declaration and the Accra Agenda for Action. It is critical to acknowledge that weak governance, poor leadership and illegitimate institutions are also important aspects of the challenges facing actors engaged in these contexts.
To read the full statement, please download pdf
