Donor support has made it possible to initiate such an economic restart and should be pursued. The EC and the World Bank have prepared a report outlining the main requirements in each economic sector. The OHR-chaired Economic Task Force is also providing useful guidance for best use of donor resources. Last but not least, time is a critical factor for successful reintegration. Wounds need time to heal.
Time is essential for the rebuilding of the social fabric.
Donor assistance cannot replace this essential element and will still be needed, although possibly in a different form, in the years to come, with emergency projects gradually replaced by transitional strategies. Care should, however, be taken to allocate resources based not only on political, but also on economic criteria. Efforts should be made to avoid financing activities which, although politically correct, would have little impact on poverty, or would not be sustainable over the medium-term. Exceptions could be made for emergency projects which directly benefit returnees and are implemented by organizations independent from the municipal authorities. Some public and private enterprises have also been actively impeding returns.