| According a UN statement, following UNSG's declaration of Nepal's
eligibility for the fund in December, more than 20 UN agencies came
together in consultation with partners to review the peace building
challenges ahead, and the possible contributions the UN system could make
as the peace process enters its next phase. The statement quoted Ian Martin, Special Representative of the
Secretary-General and Chief of the United Nations Mission in Nepal
(UNMIN), as saying the peace building contribution was at the core of the
UN response strategy. "With the elections behind us, we have entered a
complex period of transition in Nepal, with heightened expectations from
the Nepalese people, two thirds of whom live on less than $2 a day," he
said. "Strengthening the State's capacity to sustain peace is a priority area
for peace building assistance," Robert Piper, the United Nations Resident
Coordinator in Nepal has been quoted. Possible target areas for the funds include supporting the Constituent
Assembly and promoting human rights; recovery of communities and areas
affected by conflict, for example, through "food and cash for work
programmes", school feeding projects, skills training for youth and other
initiatives that accelerate the tangible benefits of peace and
development; and conflict prevention and reconciliation issues, for
example, assistance to cantonments and reintegration of former combatants
and internally displaced persons or support to land and property
mediation.
Assistance from the Peace-building Fund will be channelled through an
existing funding mechanism -- the United Nations Peace Fund for Nepal,
which is governed by an Executive Committee consisting of the Special
Representative, Resident Coordinator and representatives from the
government and the donor community.
|
