ABSTRACT
In a post-conflict situation, some of the immediate challenges for the international community include defining and prioritizing needs, coordinating responses, and sending the right level and type of support to the right place at the right time. All of this must be accomplished in a way that reflects national priorities and helps stabilize and consolidate the peace process. But efforts often take place in a volatile and complex political environment, where national authorities may lack full legitimacy and public support, have low capacity, or be more interested in their political survival and regime security. Prioritizing the management of natural resources is often difficult, given competing priorities, such as security sector reform; disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration; return of displaced persons; and holding of national elections. Yet natural resources are essential to the peace process because they often underpin other peacebuilding sectors. From water for drinking and agriculture, to forests and rangelands that support livelihoods, to high-value natural resources that can kick-start economic growth and become an engine for recovery, the way natural resources are used can influence the success of peacebuilding endeavors. Furthermore failure to effectively manage natural resources, such as land and water, is often one of the most common sources of local-level conflict.
