STATEMENT OF UN HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS ON THE MULTI-DONOR EVALUATION OF EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO RWANDA

Press Release
IHA/590

STATEMENT OF UN HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS ON THE MULTI-DONOR EVALUATION OF EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO RWANDA

NEW YORK, 12 March (DHA) -- On behalf of the executive heads of humanitarian agencies, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Yasushi Akashi, issued today the following statement on the Multi-Donor Evaluation of Emergency Assistance to Rwanda. In releasing the statement, Mr. Akashi said that while there were aspects on early warning and conflict management, as well as on humanitarian issues, that suffered from some factual inaccuracies, the study on the whole provided useful insights into the response of the international community to the Rwandan crisis.

As noted by Mr. Akashi, the statement recognized that the Rwandan crisis has prompted the international aid community and humanitarian agencies to identify many areas which needed increased attention and support. That was particularly important in terms of contingency planning, preparedness and recovery activities. The statement released today represented a preliminary response, according to Mr. Akashi. The humanitarian community remained committed to undertaking a careful review of the study's analysis, findings and recommendations.

The following is the text of the statement:

The Untied Nations humanitarian system is fully committed to learning from its experience in the Rwandan crisis and to strengthening its capacity to respond to future tragedies. It therefore welcomes the initiative of DANIDA, [the international assistance office within Denmark's Ministry of Foreign Affairs] and its collaborators, in organizing a study which has produced many useful insights.

Few will disagree with the study's central thesis concerning the enormity of what happened in Rwanda and the profound implications of genocide. The loss of life due to avoidable circumstances compounds the tragedy of what happened. The study's analysis of constraints, lost opportunities, and what needs to be done differently is a valuable contribution to the continuing effort to address shortcomings in international response mechanisms. The study will be reviewed by the United Nations and all humanitarian organizations, including at the next scheduled meeting of executive heads of United Nations and other humanitarian organizations in April.

Genocide, and the catastrophe which tore apart Rwandan society in 1994, was a defining experience for the international community. What happened in Rwanda challenges traditional concepts of humanitarianism. It is painfully clear that "bandaging the wounded" is not enough. More must be done to tackle the root causes of crises. More prompt and effective action is needed to protect the lives of civilians threatened by violent conflict.

Rwanda is a prime example of the need for a comprehensive approach to complex crises. The survivors of genocide still lack adequate support. The continuing reality of some 1.7 million refugees dependent on relief, and the many obstacles which hinder the realization of a durable peace, point to the fragility of what has been accomplished.

A preliminary reading of the study indicates that it largely confirms what the humanitarian community has been advocating in other crisis settings.

The most obvious lesson emerging from Rwanda is that prevention is the most sane and compassionate response if the international community is serious about helping communities besieged by crisis. In too many situations, it is self-evident that if more were done to address problems prior to the outbreak of conflict, fewer lives would be lost, fewer resources would be spent on protracted emergency needs, and it would be less difficult to generate durable solutions.

Another important lesson from Rwanda is that humanitarian assistance cannot be a substitute for political will. Humanitarianism has a vital role to play in ameliorating the disastrous and painful effects of violent conflict, but the provision of relief in a vacuum is tantamount to managing only the symptoms of a crisis.

Rwanda illustrates the absolute importance of supporting and maintaining the momentum of recovery programmes once humanitarian action has addressed the immediate needs of victims. In the absence of prompt and effective action to address the crime of genocide, and to break the cycle of impunity, recovery in any meaningful sense is unlikely to occur. This, in turn, has complicated the return of refugees from neighbouring countries.

The study's findings and recommendations on action needed to improve the performance of the United Nations humanitarian system will be studied closely by individual agencies. Extensive reforms are already underway.

There is no disagreement on the importance of early warning and contingency planning. United Nations humanitarian agencies have taken measures to strengthen their respective capacities. Steps have also been taken to ensure adequate consultation between the humanitarian, political and

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peace-keeping components of the United Nations, including high-level weekly meetings to review looming crises and potential preventative and preparedness measures.

The Rwandan crisis amply demonstrates the strategic significance of adequate preparedness measures and the importance of up-to-date information on fast-changing events. Learning from Rwanda, United Nations humanitarian agencies have initiated various activities designed to strengthen information networks and their overall capacity to generate up-to-date analysis. However, as noted in the study, there is a dramatic need for upfront funding for on- the-ground pre-planning and preparedness measures; United Nations agencies welcome the many insightful comments and recommendations made in this regard.

Building on recent experiences in various crisis settings, the United Nations humanitarian community has considerably advanced its ability to respond quickly to crises. Rapid response capacities include the ready availability of start-up funding, stand-by arrangements for the rapid deployment of staff, logistics and telecommunications support, and pre- designed "service packages" for vital inputs, such as water purification capabilities and airlift of heavy cargo.

Coordination, and the mobilization of humanitarian activity around common objectives, are crucial to overall effectiveness. The study points to a number of factors which facilitate, or work against, coordination. These are being carefully reviewed by the United Nations humanitarian system which has streamlined procedures for the rapid appointment of Humanitarian Coordinators and deployment of back-up resources. Agencies are reviewing bilateral cooperative arrangements taking into account their experience in Rwanda.

United Nations humanitarian agencies fully concur with the Study's findings concerning the important role of non-governmental organizations and the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the provision of humanitarian assistance. The study's recommendations will prove useful in strengthening existing linkages between United Nations and non- United Nations partners in humanitarian action.

United Nations agencies are also devoting more resources to improve their accountability and evaluation capacity, which is in line with the thinking which motivated the Multi-Donor Study.

Working in war zones is a relatively new phenomenon for most humanitarian agencies. Some tough lessons have been learned. These are the building blocks of a better relief system. Learning from experience will help ensure that humanitarian agencies are better able to respond to the needs of victims. The Multi-Donor Study makes an important contribution to this overall endeavour. It is also likely to enhance collaboration among all

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actors involved in crises. Improved dialogue between Member States, practitioners, and affected communities will help bring about greater coherence and synergy at all levels of the international humanitarian system.

For more information, contact Charles Petrie or Norah Niland, at the Department of Humanitarian Affairs in New York, (212) 963-1627 or 963-1732.

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