Peacebuilding NGO Conciliation Resources welcomes findings, emphasizing impact of DFID funding
UK aid is helping divided communities find ways to move away from violent conflict. The Independent Commission on Aid Impact (ICAI) today published a report highlighting how DFID is providing vital support to civil society organisations in their work to improve the lives of disadvantaged people around the world.
Thanks to backing received from the UK Department for International Development, peacebuilding NGO Conciliation Resources has been able to strengthen our support for peace processes and create opportunities for dialogue between divided communities in some of the most difficult conflicts around the world.
In Central Africa, where a 25-year conflict with the Lord’s Resistance Army has led to mass displacement, attacks, abductions and a climate of fear, the work of Conciliation Resources’ partners has been instrumental in preventing LRA violence against the local population in the border areas of the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Teresa Dumasy, Head of Policy & Learning, Conciliation Resources
Investing in peacebuilding and conflict prevention saves lives and saves money. The approximate cost of a ‘typical’ civil war, measured by lost GDP and reduced human health, has been estimated at more than £2.5 billion. There are also significant costs to countries such as the UK in terms of the costs of humanitarian assistance and interventions such as peacekeeping.
In Mindanao, Philippines, where more than four decades of conflict have severely limited economic development and improvements in livelihoods, Conciliation Resources has played a key role in advising the peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The commitment of the negotiating parties led to a successful framework peace agreement in October 2012, paving the way for a new initiative that aims to improve the health, education, livelihoods and security of Bangsamoro communities.
David Newton, Director of Policy, Practice & Communications, Conciliation Resources
The ICAI report acknowledges the importance of strategic funding from DFID in supporting organisations such as Conciliation Resources to innovate and respond in ways and places where the UK Government cannot. It has enabled us to support the peace process in the Philippines, to respond to a coup in Central Africa Republic and to promote trade across the highly-militarised Line of Control in Kashmir at a critical time in India-Pakistan relations.
Andy Carl, Executive Director, Conciliation Resources
Such work on preventing conflict and building peace is critical to enabling development. More than 1.5 billion people live in countries affected by repeated cycles of political and criminal violence. No low-income fragile or conflict-affected country has yet achieved a single Millennium Development Goal.
****
Notes to editors
Conciliation Resources is an independent UK-based peacebuilding organisation working with people in conflict to prevent violence and build peace. Since 1996 we’ve been assisting conflict-affected communities by providing advice, support and practical resources. In addition, we take what we learn to government decision-makers and others working to end conflict, to improve policy and practice worldwide.
We focus our efforts on seven main conflict contexts: Colombia, East and Central Africa, Fiji, Kashmir, the Philippines, South Caucasus, and West Africa. We also share learning through the peacebuilding analysis series Accord: an international review of peace initiatives
Conciliation Resources has received £2m in strategic funding from DFID through the Programme Partnership Arrangement (PPA) since April 2011.
Press contacts
Clare Richards, Media & Communications Officer
crichards@c-r.org // 07436 102 514 // 020 7288 8397
David Newton, Director of Policy, Practice & Communications
dnewton@c-r.org // 07436 102 508 // 020 7288 8373