From Foreign Policy · Ravi Agrawal · · 2m
Development in Reverse
UNDP chief Alexander De Croo explains how recovery work must begin in active conflict zones.
In brief
UNDP chief Alexander De Croo explains how recovery work must begin in active conflict zones. UNDP chief Alexander De Croo says recovery work should start during crises, not after, to prevent development in reverse. Originally reported by Foreign Policy.
Quick answers
- What is happening today?
- Development work is hard enough on its own, but how does one build infrastructure while a war is raging around you?
- What is the key takeaway from Development in Reverse?
- UNDP chief Alexander De Croo says recovery work should start during crises, not after, to prevent development in reverse.
What is happening today?
Development work is hard enough on its own, but how does one build infrastructure while a war is raging around you?
“if a crisis is ongoing, it doesn’t mean you should wait for the crisis to end before doing recovery work”
Alexander De Croo's role
Alexander De Croo is the administrator of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), a former Belgian prime minister who expanded his country’s defense budget.
UNDP's work in Ukraine
UNDP delivers about $5 billion in aid per year, with 60 percent happening in conflict zones and fragile environments.
Ukraine energy crisis
6.6 million Ukrainians depend on UNDP for electricity, with half the country’s generation capacity destroyed.
Decentralized energy grids
UNDP builds decentralized grids using renewable energy with more redundancy and passive protection against drone attacks.
Ukraine front line
The front line has shifted from eastern Ukraine to the entire country, with civilian infrastructure being targeted.
Afghanistan poppy eradication
UNDP has nearly eradicated poppy production in Afghanistan, with 95 percent of that production terminated.
Afghanistan livelihoods
UNDP helped farmers with alternative livelihoods in agricultural and fruit production through private capital and export standards.
Taliban cooperation
The Taliban are partners with UNDP in Afghanistan, despite differing views on women’s rights.
Gaza humanitarian crisis
Gaza has 2 million people squeezed into 30 percent of the territory with severe hygiene and sanitation problems.
UNDP in Gaza
UNDP works with Gaza despite security concerns, focusing on population needs while addressing security concerns.
Gaza governance needs
UNDP needs Palestinian leadership in Gaza, but current leadership is not authorized to govern the area.
Gaza child mortality
Twenty-two thousand children have been killed in Gaza, with tens of thousands losing parents, brothers, or friends.
Development in reverse
What is happening today is development in reverse, not human progress.
“what is happening today isn’t human progress. what is happening today is development in reverse”
Funding sources
UNDP financing includes government development finance, international financial institutions, private investment, remittances, and domestic resource mobilization.
US and UNDP relationship
The United States has contributed to UNDP but now supports Trade Over Aid initiative for development.
The essence
UNDP chief Alexander De Croo says recovery work should start during crises, not after, to prevent development in reverse.
