| The
nature of violent conflict in the world has changed
dramatically in recent decades in terms of its causes,
targets of violence and consequences. Internal conflicts
not only destroy buildings and bridges, but also deliberately
victimize civilians and leave deep scars in communities
which are frequently challenged by weak or malfunctioning
government structures.
Helping to rebuild war-torn societies has become one
of the priorities of international development and humanitarian
agencies. Within the past decade, the international
community has learned that we must be mindful of the
particular challenges of the need to implement specific
methods in our transition-related aid. A speedy commencement
of assistance, involving a carefully established strategy
is necessary in transition situations. Transition assistance
must be programmed in a manner which is sensitive to
the root causes of conflict. It should aim to ensure
human security by reaching victims promptly. This assistance
should also serve to enhance the capacities of legitimate
governing structures to help their own citizens. The
external aid input has political implications in the
post-conflict transition phase.
If
you ignore the environment and the impact of emergencies
on it and on people, you risk both short and longer
term impacts that might affect the effectiveness of
humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. While every
aspect of disaster management can be related to environmental
concerns as a cross-cutting issue, InterWorks believes
that focusing on the environmental concerns is not only
important but crucial to humanitarian assistance and
disaster relief. Both in the case of refugee or internally
displaced people management, recognizing environmental
concerns is crucial to providing safe and effective
resource use, management and sustainability.
Keenly aware of the linkages between the environment
and emergencies, InterWorks develops and provides training
aimed at helping organizations integrate this awareness
into their post-disaster assessments and humanitarian
assistance programmes.
Representative
Projects
Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies
(INEE), 2005:
InterWorks worked in partnership with another
consultant to develop training materials
for the INEE Minimum Standards for Education
in Emergencies, Chronic Crises and Early
Reconstruction. The training materials include
a participant workbook, a trainer’s
guide and accompanying visuals. In 2005,
InterWorks piloted the training materials
in Pakistan and facilitated two Training
for Trainers events designed to enable trainers
to use the materials more effectively.
UNESCO International Institute for
Educational Planning (IIEP), 2005-present:
InterWorks developed materials and facilitated
sessions for its Summer School Educational
Reconstruction in Post-conflict Situations:
Access and Inclusion. The Summer School
included participants from UN, government,
NGO and academic backgrounds and served
as a broad introduction to the educational
issues that arise in early post-conflict
situations.
UNESCO International Institute for
Educational Planning (IIEP), 2006:
Working with UNESCO and district education
officials in Pakistan, InterWorks designed
and facilitated Educational Planning and
Management workshops for senior managers
in the earthquake-affected areas of North
West Frontier Province and Azad Jammu and
Kashmir. The workshops focused on emerging
planning and management needs faced by district
officials as a result of the October 2005
earthquake which destroyed thousands of
schools in these areas. |
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See
also Education in Emergencies
and Reconstruction
|
