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Conflict & Peacebuilding
There is hardly a country in the Asia-Pacific region that does not bear the scars of recent conflict.
In Nepal, rebels have kidnapped children and bombed marketplaces and vehicles.
Sri Lanka is still hurting from two decades of ethnic conflict setting Sinhala against Tamil.
In rural communities in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, religious tensions flare regularly with tragic results.
Conflicts like this have a devastating impact on the lives of ordinary people living in poor or disadvantaged communities.
Instead of working towards common goals for the benefit of all, people in areas of conflict are divided, manipulated and living in fear.
Communities want peace
Loss of life and property, forced migration, and the involvement of young people in factional fighting groups, make it very difficult for communities to remain neutral.
Given the choice, though, almost everybody would rather live in peace.
Once peace is restored, people can put their energies into rebuilding their communities. Peace brings new opportunities for healthcare, education and employment to improve people's lives and bring hope for the future
Conflict in Asia - The Facts
Around one million children are displaced by conflict in Asia each year (UNHCR: 2003)
There are nearly 100,000 child soldiers involved in conflict thorughout Asia (UNICEF)
In civil conflicts, up to 90% of fatalities are civilian (UNHCR)
Conflict is more likely to occur in areas with high gender inequality, low literacy and lack of income opportunities - the same factors that development programs seek to address
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As things change for the better, people are less likely to take up arms against each other. But it takes time for the memories to fade and the scars to heal.
Community programs that are insensitive to ethnic, religious or political diversity in troubled areas, can actually reignite division and conflict in troubled areas.
World Vision continues wherever possible to deliver programs of relief and development in areas affected by conflict.
Program strategies in these areas must include strong elements of peacebuilding, inclusion and unity, before they can be effective.
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