JOINT NEEDS ASSESSMENT statement on behalf of UN and world Bank

Mr Chairman, Prime Minister, Ministers, Representatives of the Diplomatic Community, Distinguished Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen.   

I am delighted to be here with you on behalf of UN and World Bank to update you on the significant progress we are making in the preparation of the Somali Joint Needs Assessment. As you know, the assessment is designed to produce a strategically focused Reconstruction and Development Plan, which will be submitted to the international community at a donor’s conference once finalized.  Undertaking the Joint Needs Assessment at this time is a recognition by the international community of the importance of stepping up their support to provide additional timely, well coordinated and substantive assistance to post-conflict recovery and peace building.

 

Since initiating the work in April we have been engaged in an intensive process of consultation to agree on a process and framework for preparing the Assessment, which will enable all the Somali people, including the diaspora to contribute to its design to ensure full Somali ownership of this exercise.  We have in agreement with the TFG, regional authorities and eminent experts from the diaspora and civil society, on the core areas (or clusters) which will be covered by the report and an inclusive process for establishing the priority needs for reconstruction and development.  In order to bring rapid and tangible results, we will concentrate on developing a set of high impact interventions that can provide immediate benefit to the Somali people during the initial phase of reconstruction with a view to jump starting a five year program of development.

 

 A unique feature of the Somali situation and opportunity is the presence of a vibrant private sector and well established network of community based organizations.  Against this backdrop, the JNA will identify the opportunities to leverage this capacity so that the future government can rapidly expand the provision of basic services and infrastructure, building on these strengths. The JNA will also identify and help nurture essential elements of public sector capacity to accelerate development.

 

Last week we held an important workshop in Nairobi to formally launch the Joint Needs Assessment. As noted in the communiqué, the meeting drew together more than 100 participants, including Ministers and representatives of the Transitional Federal Government, the United Nations, World Bank, resource persons from the Diaspora, civil society and key development partners.  We were particularly pleased to note the prominent leadership role of the TFG in the workshop, as well as the constructive participation of the large number of Somali experts.  For many of the participants the cluster level discussions marked the first opportunity in recent years to engage in such a constructive dialogue among such a broad range of stakeholders. The contribution of experts from the diaspora was especially appreciated, and they have agreed to act as deputy leaders of the six thematic cluster groups who are preparing the technical recommendations for the JNA.  In order to ensure full and widespread ownership of these recommendations, the TFG will appoint one focal point for each cluster, responsible for ensuring coordination and flows of information within the TFG and between the TFG and the JNA teams.  In addition, zonal coordinators in the field will serve as focal points between Somali stakeholders, and be responsible for ensuring substantive involvement from zonal stakeholders.

 

We see this Somali Joint Needs Assessment being very valuable in two important ways:

(i)                Firstly, as a technical assessment of recovery needs based on a very participatory process culminating in the development of a reconstruction and development program; and

(ii)              Secondly, as a platform Somali authorities and the international community to discuss and agree on priorities and initiative to support over the coming five years.

 

Consequently, we were especially we pleased to learn from the TFG that the JNA, once concluded, will form the essence of a national development plan. As such, it should be based on a common and inclusive vision for poverty reduction, reconstruction, development and progress towards the MDGs.

The Joint Needs Assessment is a strategically important instrument for the international community to expand and deepen its support for Somalia, as we collectively support the transition from conflict to peace and from economic stagnation to renewed development.  Hence, the World Bank is very pleased to be given the opportunity to co-lead this assessment.

While we look to the future we believe it is especially important to acknowledge the role of our other partners who have been involved in humanitarian efforts over the last decade as well as increasingly more development oriented support.  Continued assistance is still needed while this Needs Assessment is being prepared.  

 

Such assistance is essential to help the Somali people rebuild state institutions, to create new economic opportunities, solidify peace, expand social services, and reduce the incidence of poverty.  Without it, peace-building efforts are less likely to be sustainable.  This is a time of great opportunity and promise, a time for us to collectively help make tomorrow better for all Somalis.  The poor deserve no less than our best efforts to complement the peace process with reconstruction and renewed development.  They deserve opportunities to learn to read and write, receive basic health care and enjoy clean water to drink. They need economic opportunities for productive employment.

 

We would like to note our sincere appreciation for the financial and technical support received by the donor community, and in particular the Coordination Support Group donors (Chaired by the EC, and comprising Italy, Norway, Sweden, UK). It is thanks to this support that we are now able to carry out both the technical assessment and the consultation process.

Finally, as we move towards the preparations for the donor conference next year, we appreciate the interest of the IGAD members in the JNA process and look forward to their constructive support to ensure a successful donor meeting that can mobilize sufficient financial and technical support for the Reconstruction and Development Program.

 

Thank you.