SECOND COMMITTEE BEGINS REVIEW OF OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT, PANELLISTS DISCUSS UN DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FRAMEWORK

16 October 1998

Press Release
GA/EF/2824/

SECOND COMMITTEE BEGINS REVIEW OF OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT, PANELLISTS DISCUSS UN DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FRAMEWORK

19981016 CORRECTION

On the fifth and sixth paragraphs of page 8 of Press Release GA/EF/2824 of 14 October, substitute the following text:

JOHN POWELL, Director, Strategy and Policy Division of the World Food Programme (WFP) said that although agreement existed on the importance of linking experience and capacities related to relief and development, the practicality of doing so had been hampered by a number of factors. Some included: the inherent conflict between the short-term perspective of relief and the longer-term focus of development; coordination in the field, links between humanitarian and development organizations and the need for integrated strategies; the tendency to postpone the introduction of developmental activities; the unpredictability of relief assistance from year to year; a dramatic decline in the level of development funding available; and the difficulty of securing resources for rehabilitation, reconstruction and recovery. It has been recognized that the lines between emergency relief, recovery and development were not as distinct as was once believed. And that situation changed with rapidity from one to another, often differently in different parts of the country at the same time. The importance of disaster preparedness and prevention was also recognized. Yet, there were often difficulties in the funding modalities of individual donors -- which budget line managed by which agency could be used for which purpose; and a number of donors maintain discrete programmes for disaster preparedness and prevention with funding through humanitarian relief channels.

Continuing, Mr. Powell said that wile recognizing the considerable work already undertaken in formulating, refining and implementing UNDAF, the Consolidated Appeals Process and strategic frameworks, more work was now required to examine the linkages between and among them. Clarification of those linkages was vital to ensuring the sustainability of actions initiated and to find ways of dealing with the practical problems faced on a daily basis. Assessments so far had focused more on process. Emphasis must now be placed on the substantive and operational dimensions of the various strategic processes.

Second Committee - 2 - Press Release GA/EF/2824/Corr.1 12th Meeting (PM) 16 October 1998

On the last paragraph of page 9 of the same press release, substitute the following text:

In response to a request for more information on how the Executive Committees were dealing with the linkages between relief, recovery and development; and another question on the emphasis he placed on moving from process issues to operational content and substance issues in UNDAF's, Mr. POWELL cited as examples the forthcoming joint review by the Executive Committees of the relationships among strategic frameworks, the Consolidated Appeals Processes and UNDAF, including post-conflict reintegration and common country assessment. As examples of substance issues to be considered in UNDAF, he cited speaking out on human rights, especially on gender; working with communities; getting the right people in the right place at the right time; staff security; and funding.

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