The National Development and Reform Commission
(NDRC), which leads China’s Post-Disaster Reconstruction Planning
Group, invited UNICEF to contribute to the development of
China’s reconstruction strategy. The Post-Disaster Reconstruction
Planning Group includes 30 ministries and committees under
China’s State Council and is responsible for formulating strategies
and key policies in the 3 – 5 year reconstruction period.
Specifically, NDRC expressed interest in UNICEF offering analysis
on the social impact of the earthquake and making policy recommendations
on public services to benefit children and women in the short
and medium term. UNICEF thus gained a unique opportunity to
develop a strategic partnership and provide analytical and
policy inputs at the highest level. |
In late June, just weeks after receiving
the invitation from NDRC, UNICEF delivered a policy note entitled,
“Reconstructing Wellbeing: Bringing Public Services to Those
Who Need Them Most After the Wenchuan Earthquake.” The policy
note emphasized the functional, financing, and institutional
issues that need to be addressed so that reconstructed public
services truly contribute to the wellbeing of children and
communities affected by the earthquake.
The policy note highlighted that newly built schools, hospitals,
and public services in general will benefit those in need
only if the rights of citizens and the obligations of public
service providers are clearly defined and enforced; only if
essential services are adequately funded and resources are
appropriately allocated and channelled; only if unfair charges
that disqualify the poor from quality public services and
goods are abolished or appropriately regulated; only if there
are adequate mechanisms established to encourage quality,
equity, and accountability in public service delivery; only
if the inadequacies of previous facilities and services are
recognized and overcome; and only if local governments work
closely with citizens, including women and young people. The
policy note also suggested that given the large amount of
international and domestic support available in the aftermath
of the earthquake, public service delivery and financing in
the earthquake-affected localities could be developed as a
model for the entire country.
The importance of this policy note cannot be over-emphasized.
It is part of UNICEF’s philosophy of “Building Back Better”
for children. The note sets out clearly, and for the first
time, the concrete steps to be taken to build back better
social services for children and their communities. The policy
note received high appreciation from NDRC and the Post-Disaster
National Reconstruction Planning Office as an important contribution
to the reconstruction strategy, which is to be made public
by the end of August 2008. The table on the following two
pages summarizes UNICEF’s main recommendations.
UNICEF has also strengthened its partnership with the domestic
research community to provide further up-stream policy advice
and analytical technical assistance for China’s reconstruction
strategy. A study on international best practices in addressing
the social impact of disasters was submitted to NDRC and the
Post-Disaster National Reconstruction Planning Office in July
2008. A detailed assessment of the social impact, experience,
and lessons learned is being completed for delivery in August
2008. |
