ABSTRACT
Chances are that the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is not among first organizations to come to mind when thinking of the multiplicity of actors working in crisis situations. However, while UNDP has generally focused on more traditional development assistance with an emphasis on capacity-building and poverty eradication, a growing awareness of its key role in crisis and post-conflict situations, especially over the course of the 1990s, led to gradual strengthening of its work in these areas. Based on a series of General Assembly resolutions, UNDP was given leadership of the Resident Coordinator system which applies to nearly 130 program countries, including approximately 30 that are considered crisis and post-conflict environments. In the coming years, UNDP intends to strengthen significantly its operations in crisis and post-conflict situations. As a result of UNDP's broad mandate outlined above through which it is invariably present before, after, and during crisis, its staff work in most countries is affected by natural and man-made disaster.
