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October 2009
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 29 October 2009
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Peacebuilding needs to include food security: Ban

29/10/2009

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says that in helping countries after conflict, urgent attention must be given to social and economic needs and rebuilding human capital, alongside interventions on security and governance.

Addressing a special event on food and economic crises in post-conflict countries, he pointed out that the past two years, with rising food prices, have been especially hard for at least 20 countries coming out of conflict, including Burundi, the Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone. Mr. Ban appealed for continued economic aid to such countries.

"Unfortunately, aid to post-conflict countries far too often tapers off prematurely and just when countries are in a better position to use it more effectively. Sustainable peace is the most important goal for aid. It makes no sense to abandon post-conflict countries in times of budget constraints."

The event in New York, which brought together key actors from the peacebuilding and food aid fields, is co-organized by the UN Economic and Social Council, the UN Peacebuilding Commission and the World Food Programme.

Bissera Kostova, UN Radio.

(duration: 1'15")

Sound bites

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Cut

"Unfortunately, aid to post-conflict countries far too often tapers off prematurely and just when countries are in a better position to use it more effectively. Sustainable peace is the most important goal for aid. It makes no sense to abandon post-conflict countries in times of budget constraints."
Duration: 00:00:23

Josette Sheeran, Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme Cut

"No investment is more important than the essential investment in basic health, food and water access, and reestablishing the sustainable systems within a country to provide for those basic needs. The socio-economic pulse of a country beats right together with its political pulse."
Duration: 00:00:23

Heraldo Munoz, Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission Cut

"Post-conflict countries are suffering a triple damage phenomenon in the present world context. They experience the harsh effects of the food crisis, the damages of the wide spread global financial crisis, and the enduring fractures of historic violence and conflict. In order to alleviate the consequences of this crisis and to support countries emerging from conflict facing such threats the United Nations must strengthen its coherent and integrated response."
Duration: 00:00:30