Japan's Official Development Assistance White Paper 2011
4. Peacebuilding
Regional and internal conflicts arising from ethnic, religious, and historical differences continue to pose problems for the international community. Such conflicts generate a great number of refugees and internally displaced persons, and lead to humanitarian issues and violations of human rights. Furthermore, they also destroy achievements made through many years of developmental efforts, and cause massive economic losses. For these reasons, engagement in "peacebuilding" is the challenge for the entire international community, which could build a foundation for development to prevent conflict or its recurrence and to consolidate sustainable peace. For example, discussions on consistent approach of development assistance from the resolution of conflicts, recovery, and reconstruction to nation-building are ongoing at forums such as UN Peacebuilding Commission established in 2005.
At the Japan-Afghanistan Policy Consultation, Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Yutaka Banno meets with Afghanistan's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Eklil Ahmad Hakimi on his visit to Japan
<Japan's Efforts>
Japan provides support that includes assistance for refugees and food aid under armed conflict, and electoral assistance for the peace (political) process. After the resolution of conflicts, Japan assists in the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) of former soldiers to ensure the consolidation of peace. It also provides support to rebuild the security sector and ensure domestic security and stability. In addition, Japan supports the reconstruction of affected countries by working to repatriate and resettle refugees and internally displaced persons, and to rebuild the basic infrastructure. Further, in order to consolidate sustainable peace and prevent the rise of another conflict, efforts are made in social sectors such as healthcare and education as well as strengthening governmental, judicial, and police functions, and supporting the development of economic infrastructure and institutions. Japan combines assistance through international organizations with bilateral aid, including grant aid, technical cooperation, and ODA loans to provide such aid in a seamless manner.
Peacebuilding efforts through ODA
•Human Resources Development for Peace-building
Requirements in the fields of peacebuilding are becoming more diverse and more complex. In response to these needs on the ground, Japan has conducted the Program for Human Resource Development in Asia for Peacebuilding since FY2007 to develop civilian experts from Japan and other Asian countries who will be capable of playing an active role in this field. Pillars of the program consists of coursework in Japan, where Program Associates acquire the practical knowledge and skills required at the peacebuilding field, overseas attachment, where Program Associates engage in actual work at local offices of international organizations at the peacebuilding field, and support for graduates to build their careers. To date, approximately 160 Japanese and other Asians have participated in the training courses. Many Program Associates are now actively working at the field of peacebuilding such as in South Sudan and Timor-Leste.
[Sudan]
"Capacity Development Project for the Provision of Services for Basic Human Needs in Kassala"
Technical Cooperation Project (May 2011 - Current)
The state of Kassala located in eastern Sudan had suffered from the conflicts until the enactment of the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement in 2006. Sudan has received many refugees from domestic and foreign locations, particularly Eritrean refugees that have continued to flow into the country over 40 years. In such circumstances, the provision of services from governmental agencies has not been able to keep up with the increasing demand for services in the areas of water, agriculture, maternal and child health, and vocational training. In response to the request of the government of the state of Kassala, Japan provides assistance in improving the capabilities of government agencies in these areas, thereby supporting the consolidation of peace through improvement of the living environment of residents.
A workshop aimed at making agricultural distribution smoother (Photo: JICA)