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enabled by a secure environment. Reliable enforcement of contracts is necessary for the
expansion of investment, business activity, and employment.
Local governance and the quality of the linkages between local and national levels in
the system of governance are important vis-à-vis livelihoods and economic recovery. A
country’s particular governance structure determines the nature and number of the levels
of government and their respective functions and responsibilities. 53 Regardless of the
structure in place or adopted after a crisis, an integrated approach to governance—one
that draws together policies, planning, and implementation at all levels and ensures continuous
feedback in both directions—is both possible and desirable. Effective systems of
governance ensure the “top-down” realization of national policy reforms at the local level
while also fostering “bottom-up,” participatory processes that enable priorities and needs
that are expressed at the local level to drive changes in national policies and legislation.
The importance of local governance and national-local linkages is underscored by the
finding that underinvestment in the implementation of policies and programmes at the
local level is often a major obstacle to MDG progress in developing countries. 54
Box 5.1. United Nations’ definitions of “rule of law” and “justice”
“The ‘rule of law’ is a concept at the very heart of the Organization’s mission. This concept refers to a principle of governance in which all persons, institutions
and entities, public and private, including the State itself, are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced and independently adjudicated,
and which are consistent with international human rights norms and standards….
“For the United Nations, ‘justice’ is an ideal of accountability and fairness in the protection and vindication of rights and the prevention and punishment of
wrongs. Justice implies regard for the rights of the accused, for the interests of victims and for the well-being of society at large.”
—Excerpt from United Nations Security Council. The rule of law and transitional justice in conflict and post-conflict societies.
Report of the Secretary-General. S/2004/616. August 23, 2004.
53 Systems of governance may be highly centralized,
decentralized (with certain public services and
responsibilities delegated to local government
bodies), deconcentrated (with local departments
of the central government carrying out central
directives), or devolved (with autonomous subnational
bodies). The various levels of governance
are sometimes classified into three groups—the
“macro” or national level, the “meso” or subnational
level, and the “micro” or local level.
54 UNDP and UNCDF. Scaling Up Support for the
MDGs at Local Level: Joint Global Programme
Framework and Funding Mechanism. Project
Document. 2009.
5.2.3 Impact of crises on governance
Security, justice, and rule of law. Crises place a substantial additional burdens on governments
with regard to providing services and infrastructure—and to creating a favourable
environment for recovery—while damaging the capacities of these governments to
undertake such tasks. As a result, security, justice, and the rule of law are often severely
compromised. In some cases, police and security forces themselves become perpetrators
of violence, harassment, and displacement. The arbitrary application of laws can lead to the
loss of land and other livelihood assets. Especially in countries that already have inequitable
inheritance laws and inadequate civil and land registries, protection of the property rights
of crisis-affected people is likely to become weakened, particularly for women, thereby
restricting their livelihood prospects. When crisis-affected individuals are excluded from
access to legitimate livelihoods, they have little choice but to adopt coping strategies that
are unsafe and/or socially harmful. These individuals may be subjected to intimidation or
theft, extortion, forced labour, and sexual and gender-based violence. Simply traveling
to a market, farm, workplace, or source of water or fuel can present security risks. Crisisaffected
individuals, and especially those individuals who are young, may be drawn into
criminal activities or recruited into combat. A weak security environment also prevents
the safe return of internally displaced persons and refugees.
Corruption and public trust. In crisis and post-crisis countries, low and unreliably paid
salaries in the public sector—while the cost of living increases and individuals face new
Livelihoods & Economic Recovery in Crisis Situations