Download PDF (4.08 MB) - ReliefWeb

26
3.1 Emergency employment creation
3.1.1 Introduction
Slow economic recovery accompanied by high levels of unemployment make it difficult
for those populations that are suffering from the consequences of crisis—particularly
youth, women, and other vulnerable or excluded groups—to find legal, safe, and sustainable
livelihood opportunities. Unemployment creates idleness and fuels frustration
and discontent, particularly among youth, and it can also generate social tensions that
precipitate civil unrest, violence, illegal activities, and negative coping strategies. By
providing an immediate source of income, even for a limited period of time, emergency
employment projects can promote stability in vulnerable communities. The short-term
work created under these projects aims to boost the purchasing power and consumption
of crisis-affected people, enabling them to meet their immediate needs and reduce
their vulnerability to additional shocks. To the extent possible, these projects also help
crisis-affected people to develop or regain sustainable livelihood assets and contribute
to the revival of the local economy.
Cash for Work in Kenya
(Photo by UNDP Kenya)
Three modalities for emergency employment creation that UNDP often supports in
crisis and post-crisis situations are (a) cash-for-work, (b) food-for-work (in partnership
with WFP), and (c) community contracting. Cash-for-work projects provide cash payments
in exchange for labour through individual subprojects or public works schemes.
Food-for-work projects provide food as compensation in lieu of cash. In some cases, a
combination of food-for-work and cash-for-work is provided. Food-for-work is a mandate
of WFP, so UNDP partners with WFP in any initiative it supports that involves food-forwork.
Community contracting involves inclusive community decision-making that
leads to a partnership agreement between a registered community-based organization
and an external funding or support agency for the implementation of work that benefits
the community, using inputs provided by the community in question. 12 Emergency
employment projects are often implemented in tandem with other initiatives for crisis
relief and recovery.
Examples of typical activities for emergency employment include the clearing of debris,
roads, and land; the rebuilding of roads, drainage systems, and irrigation canals;
the rehabilitation of community facilities or schools; the harvesting of crops; and the
development of land for housing or agriculture. Emergency employment presents an
opportunity to introduce or expand “green jobs”—jobs that contribute to preserving or
restoring environmental quality. 13
12 For more information, see the Annex on community
contracting in this Guide.
13 Such jobs may, for example, help to protect and
restore ecosystems and biodiversity, promote
a low-carbon economy, reduce or avoid the
generation of waste and pollution, and/or reduce
the consumption of energy, materials, and water.
See UNEP, ILO, IOE and ITUC, Green Jobs: Towards
decent work in a sustainable, low-carbon world,
2008.
When successful, emergency employment projects help to mobilize the social and
economic rebuilding of communities. These projects can contribute to social equity,
the empowerment of women and marginalized groups, and environmental sustainability.
Furthermore, such projects inject cash into the local economy through wage
payments and the local procurement of materials and equipment. The work performed
through these projects can provide rapid improvements to community services and
infrastructure, enabling access to markets and social services while also strengthening
disaster preparedness. By addressing the needs of whole communities, these projects
can contribute to peace-building and can be strategically designed to address increases
in illegal activities, to mitigate or prevent violence (when drivers of conflict are engaged
in emergency employment), and to function as deterrents and alternatives to the recruitment
of combatants.
Livelihoods & Economic Recovery in Crisis Situations