Building peace
Building peace
Protracted armed conflict can lead to a vicious spiral in which violence becomes the norm. Even when violent conflict has ended, it can easily flare up again. On average, 40% of conflicts which have ended restart within ten years.
Building peace refers to actions and policies aimed at preventing the outbreak, the recurrence or continuation of armed conflict. It includes a wide range of political, developmental, humanitarian and human rights programmes, both short and long term.
DFID is involved in peacebuilding activities around the globe.
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Arms control
Arms control
Recent figures show that, globally, 740,000 people die each year as a result of armed violence, with two-thirds of those deaths occurring outside war zones. This conflict and violence is often fuelled by the irresponsible trade in weapons.
There are an estimated 650 million small arms already in circulation, fed by a global and often uncontrolled arms trade. These weapons are used both in violent conflict and crime, particularly in poor countries and among poor communities.
DFID works with a range of UK and international partners to reduce the impact of the arms trade on po...
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Preventing conflict
Preventing conflict
The costs of violent conflict are enormous. It is not only the obvious and immediate toll on lives and property. Development is a victim too.
During the 1990s, half of the countries where life expectancy, income and education went backwards had experienced violent conflict. Of the 34 countries furthest from reaching the Millennium Development Goals, 22 are in the midst of – or emerging from – violent conflict. By 2010, half of the world’s poorest people could be living in states that are experiencing, or at risk of, violent conflict.
In the years ahead there will be mountin...
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Security and justice
Security and justice
One of the basic functions of government is the provision of security and justice for its citizens. For example, a belief in the rule of law, a police force that can be trusted and courts that make fair decisions. Where these are absent or ineffective, insecurity and lawlessness, crime and lack of justice affect the lives of ordinary people. They may not feel safe to go to work or school.
DFID’s programmes help the governments of developing countries to provide security and fair, accessible justice for all their citizens.
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