UNDP's capacity development for recovery programme

The Capacity Development for Recovery Programme (CADREP) handed over 45 vehicles, 150 motorbicycles, 400 computers, 60 photocopiers, fax machines and tables and chairs to the Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry to be handed over to the Government Agents to be given to tsunami victims.

Months after the tsunami, most needs for immediate relief have been met in all districts. Yet severe challenges remain when it comes to seeking durable solutions related to the return, relocation and settlement of affected populations.

There remains a need for the donor community to continue their support to the Government in sustaining the recovery process and to address the governance capacity challenges for planning, implementing and monitoring the delivery of reconstruction activities, both at the central and district, divisional level.

But while the donor community was supportive of the Government's efforts to deal with the disaster, donors also highlighted the main governance challenges that required particular attention during the recovery phase:

* A deficient system for planing at the local levels,

* Human rights issues and problems of access to justice for the affected population, in particular with regard to the acquisition and allocation of land for resettlement and housing,

* A weak system of local governance with insufficient opportunities for the local communities to become involved in decision-making. Related to this is the ongoing policy debate on the future of local governance, the devolution of responsibilities and resources to the local governments and their relationships with the local administration,

* Problems of coordination at central and local levels and the need, in the reconstruction era, to strengthen partnerships between local administration, the local governments, civil society organisations and the donor community,

* Concerns as to the degree of transparency and accountability in aid and reconstruction management.

The UN Transitional Strategy - relief to recovery - looks at the next 24 months - outlining the overarching framework and key interventions, on-going and planned, for the UN system response to assist the tsunami affected communities. The strategy covers a two-year period until the end of 2006 and highlights the transition from relief activities to initial recovery support.

The approach details that programmes and projects will be delivered wherever possible through strong local partnerships. Strengthening partnerships will encourage greater and more efficient exchange of information, experiences and best practices.

Approaches will ensure that empowerment and capacity development are at the heart of interventions. Local structures and communities will be supported and strengthened to lead the transition process and be central to decision-making and participation.

Lessons learned would be drawn upon and appropriate on-going monitoring of sector strategies will be developed to meet the needs of communities.

Within the UN development group, one of UNDP's core responsibilities is to assist the Sri Lankan Government in developing capacities of various actors at local, intermediate and national level in the public sector, private sector as well as in the civil society, thereby laying the foundations for introducing and institutionalizing principles of good governance in the country.

This will be achieved by supporting the creation of an enabling environment and providing support for institutions (Government institutions - national, sub national, local, NGOs and CBOs, private sector and civil society) involved in post tsunami recovery and future disaster prevention through, knowledge inputs, technical support, institutional building and systems development.

This programme will provide support for 10 district secretariats, 48 divisional secretariats, 10 district audit office, 2 provincial administration and agencies such as provincial education, health and engineering, 10 Assistant commissioners for local government, 59 local authorities in addition to VTA, PSTI, SLILG and SLIDA.

In light of the above, a capacity development strategy needs to be based on a number of elements including:

* Strengthening coordination and management competencies and skills for recovery and reconstruction at district and divisional level,

* Strengthening devolved service delivery at local government for recovery and reconstruction,

* Strengthening the enabling environment for participatory planning, management and monitoring of recovery activity through partnerships with civil society and the private sector,

* Developing capacities within agencies that are likely to be called upon to perform extraordinary tasks in the recovery stage such as audit.

The goal of the Capacity Development and Recovery Programme (CADREP) is to strengthen the overall governance of post-tsunami recovery activity within a medium term perspective that will enhance the process of reconstruction and development. This will be undertaken through capacity development of public administration, local government, civil society and the private sector.

The main objective of the programme will be to develop the capacity of government and civil society in the planing, disaster and information coordinator, management and delivery of recovery and reconstruction services on a sustainable basis.

Improved governance of recovery requires: strengthening the enabling role of public adminstration to support sector recovery and development: enhancing the delivery of local government services for reconstruction and development: and institutionalising voice and oversight of civil society and the private sector to ensure a more responsive and inclusive recovery process.

The programme is designed to promote the fundamental principles of good governance including efficiency, effectiveness, responsiveness, accountability and transparency.

These core principles will drive the programme in each focus area and, in so doing, will enhance the resources, competencies and skills of government and civil society stakeholder in disaster recovery management and sustainable service improvement.

The foundation of this approach is the understanding that responsive, accountable and transparent governance depends on strengthening co-ordination and management between and within different actors; increasing participation in planning and decision-making and improving knowledge and information flows on service entitlements and delivery.

The programme will provide a platform for effective donor linkage on capacity development for recovery as well as a mechanism to support the integration of specific UN initiatives in strengthening governance and civil society, micro-enterprise and livelihoods development, information management and disaster risk management.

Capacity development may be delivered in a number of ways including:

* Institutional and on the job training through professional training organisations such as SLIDA, SLILG, PSTI, VTA, Universities and other national institutions,

* Specialised training from specialist organisations in participatory planning, project cycle management, engineering management and financial management,

* Management development and process consulting support from dedicated programme co-ordinators and selected human resources,

* Performance improvement planning and strategy formulation support by national experts,

* International expert support through network partnerships,

* Provision of necessary equipment and other basic facilities for better performance.