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In Nepal, a dedicated forum was established in 2017 where civil society and the Government could come together and discuss Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions) issues. This enabled civil society to participate and have their voice heard on peace and justice issues (Cázarez-Grageda, 2018).
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In support of conflict prevention in Burundi, IOM together with several ministries of the Government of Burundi took a whole-of-government approach and aimed to strengthen the rule of law, social cohesion and gender equality, among other areas. The efforts focused on strengthening the capacity of law enforcement actors and provided spaces for dialogue to promote community reconciliation and social cohesion. The initiative combined formal and informal conflict resolution mechanisms at the community and national level. It also promoted the role of women as mediators and peacemakers (IOM, 2019).
Many factors can, either on their own or in different combinations, drive people from their homes and lead to displacement. Such factors include conflict, human rights violations, economic downturn, marginalization and poverty, insecurity, public health emergencies, disaster-induced displacement and the effects of environmental change, among others. Even in the absence of a full-blown conflict, armed violence can have significant human and developmental costs, such as destroying lives and livelihoods, disrupting access to social services, inducing mass displacement and restricting mobility (OECD, 2009).
Not all conflicts or violence are unpredictable: protests, xenophobic violence and civil unrest could be warning signs of a potential conflict or outbreak of violence (MICIC Initiative, 2016). Conflict and violence risk factors are typically grounded – to varying and often interconnecting degrees – in political, historical, economic and social grievances. The possibility of such grievances reaching a tipping point and spilling over into violence or conflict is likely to be linked to a shorter-term trigger or proximate cause, such as food insecurity, water scarcity, land encroachment, economic downturns, a controversial event or external influences (OECD, 2009; Regehr, 2013).
While political solutions and diplomacy are fundamental to conflict prevention, broader prevention activities focus on addressing the structural factors that underlie long-standing grievances and inequalities, as well as on early warning of potential triggers. In fragile settings, stabilization approaches may help prevent tensions and grievances from escalating (see Solutions and recovery). Prevention and mitigation of displacement as well as remedial efforts will include whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches and may focus on whole communities or different categories of individuals.
Interventions related to drivers typically aim to improve governing systems, promote the rule of law, equality and social cohesion, and make progress in the areas of employment, development, poverty reduction, social protection and basic service delivery.
While prevention inherently corresponds to before a conflict, it also looks to prevent and mitigate the added stresses on host communities, which could fuel new tensions or aggravate pre-existing challenges. As well, prevention looks to address stresses between the host communities and displaced populations. Further, the dynamic nature of conflict means that the original causes and triggers can shift, and other areas or segments of the population may be at risk of displacement. Mobility may also be a coping mechanism for a displaced person or family; while still unable to return home, they may move to a different displacement site or host community with hopes of better access to support or opportunities.
Prevention and mitigation of displacement should focus on:
- Communities (community-based approaches);
- Individuals and groups most at risk of becoming displaced;
- Individuals and groups that could spoil peace and security (for example, the recruitment of such individuals or groups to non-State armed actors);
- Individuals or groups with specific needs, such as youth or marginalized communities.
Characteristics of successful interventions:
- Whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach
- Human rights compliance
- Non-discriminatory
- Participatory and inclusive
- Evidence based
- Responsive
- Broader prevention activities should focus on addressing structural factors such as underlying grievances and inequalities.
- Prevention activities are still applicable during a crisis as well as after a crisis. During a crisis, prevention efforts aim at mitigating the continuation, escalation and recurrence of the conflict or violence. After a crisis this type of intervention aims at preventing conflicts from reoccurring.
- Mobility can be a coping mechanism for displaced persons. For example, if a family is unable to return home, they may move to a different displacement site or host community with hopes of better access to support or opportunities.