Participatory approaches and coordination are critical if we are to move from a relief into a development phase during our response to humanitarian disasters. Beneficiaries, and local partners and structures must be involved and their capacities built. Humanitarian work in conflict situations, as well as in other crises, is work for peace. To be effective, humanitarian intervention must be well coordinated, the response careful but rapid if lives are to be saved and suffering reduced, and the approaches must be appropriately integrated to help victims return to self-sufficiency. It is therefore imperative that more attention be paid to prevention and more resources made available to ensure it.
Peace is central to sustainable development.
Investment in conflict moderation and conflict resolution, disaster preparedness, mitigation, and prevention, and basic empowerment that strengthens and expands people's capabilities and choices is an investment in peace. All rights reserved.