# Development in Reverse

> UNDP chief Alexander De Croo explains how recovery work must begin in active conflict zones.
- Title: Development in Reverse · Foreign Policy | Shortify
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: alexander de croo, unpd, united nations, afghanistan, ukraine, gaza, reconstruction, development, conflict zones, energy infrastructure, taliban, united states
- Source: Foreign Policy — https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/10/02/undp-alexander-de-croo-ukraine-war-reconstruction-gaza-reconstruction-afghanistan
- Author: Ravi Agrawal
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: alexander de croo, unpd, united nations, afghanistan, ukraine, gaza, reconstruction, development, conflict zones, energy infrastructure, taliban, united states
## 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.
## Key takeaway

UNDP chief Alexander De Croo says recovery work should start during crises, not after, to prevent development in reverse.