LWF endorses ‘Build Forward’ paper on Ukraine recovery

The ‘Build Forward’ document emphasizes the importance of adopting an inclusive, “human-centric, child-centric and gender-just approach, anticipating major risks that may jeopardize reconstruction efforts, along with mitigation measures that can be taken at present.” The paper highlights the urgency of meeting the immediate needs of the war-affected population, while at the same time implementing sustainable efforts for recovery and post-war reconstruction.

This is an important paper, as it puts the Ukrainian people and their rights in the center

Ester Wolf, LWF Advocacy Officer for Human Rights

Ester Wolf, LWF Advocacy Officer for Human Rights, said: “This is an important paper, as it puts the Ukrainian people and their rights in the center. We would like to emphasize that a systematic human rights-based approach is needed to ensure that the rights of all Ukrainians are respected in the rebuilding and reconstruction process. It is vital to establish monitoring systems that apply to all actors – including the private sector - and to do more detailed risk analysis to reduce the risks of discrimination against vulnerable groups or individuals.

The ‘Build Forward’ document notes that casualties of the war are on the rise, especially among children, with over 23,000 civilian casualties – although it adds that “these figures may not capture the full extent of the tragedy.” In areas where fighting has ceased, it points out that explosive remnants of war and mines remain, leading to further deaths and injuries. As well as the billions of dollars of damage caused by the war, the economy has contracted by nearly 30 percent in 2022, the paper says.

There is therefore an urgent need for essential services including “protection, mental health support, healthcare, education, clean water, sanitation and hygiene.” At the same time, the document calls for a ‘build-back-better' approach to everything from urban planning and economic development to education and environmental sustainability. Identifying risks such as lack of coordination among donors, insufficient information and expertise, or the potential for corruption, the paper outlines mechanisms to mitigate these risks as part of the ongoing recovery process. It stresses that “the active participation of affected populations in decision-making processes is crucial” to put these principles into practice.