5. Building resilient societies
The Instrument for Stability The Instrument for Stability (IfS) is a rapid and flexible mechanism at the disposal of the European Commission to prevent conflict, support post-conflict political stabilisation and to ensure early recovery after a natural disaster. Established in 2007, it is now a well established EU crisis response tool complementary to other instruments. The instrument is used to re-establish the conditions necessary for implementation of EU development assistance using other long-term instruments. It integrates political and development activity in a unique manner, focusing on situations of urgency, crisis and emerging crisis; the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms; the security and safety of individuals, or situations threatening to escalate into armed conflict or destabilisation. The instrument effectively relates to the three pillars of the United Nations’ work - peace and security, human rights and development - and it has been an important mechanism for the UN-Commission partnership not only supporting UN development and humanitarian activities but also the efforts of UN peacekeeping missions in Sudan, Kosovo, and the Central African Republic. In 2007-2008 the United Nations joined hands with the Commission through the Instrument for Stability to support security sector reform in the Central African Republic and in Timor Leste, build capacity of the transitional federal institutions in Somalia, provided electoral assistance to Zambia and Georgia, provide post-conflict support to internally displaced people in Georgia, and formulate post disaster needs assessments in Haiti, Myanmar - after the Nargis cyclone - and in Ukraine, in response to the oil spill in the Black Sea. The Instrument for Stability currently supports the strengthening of capacities of the UN and partner governments for the consensual management of land and natural resources and is fighting against the illicit trade of fire arms in Central America and neighbouring countries.
After 7 years in a refugee camp, the 12 year old girl meets her mother and family in Burundi. (UNHCR/A. Kirchhof ).
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