Delivering basic services is key to improving resilience

The delivery of basic health, education, clean water and sanitation services and social protection (social safety nets to livelihood enhancing programs) is a critical component of poverty reduction and strengthening resilience. Fragile states are particularly prone to crisis due to internal and external shocks of a varied nature, and the presence or absence of basic services has a potentially critical role in determining the vulnerability of poor and marginalised groups. These groups are particularly reliant on systems of service delivery that offer them skills, healthcare and livelihood support to fulfil their basic human rights and help them succeed economically.

The dynamic interplay of self- and mutually-reinforcing internal/external shocks can severely limit the State’s ability to provide core services to the majority of its people, particularly the poor. Formal institutions in fragile states can be weak and socio-political marginalisation, human rights abuses, and political patronage are often prevalent. Legacies of conflict and institutional failure inhibit capacities to adapt and reduce risk. Where conditions are too unstable for long-term planning and investment, governments tend to focus on bolstering short-term coping and survival strategies, but lack the capacity and often willingness or legitimacy to perform key government functions for the benefit of all. Such circumstances severely affect the provision of basic services and seriously challenge effective public service provision based on quality, universality and equity.

A number of good practices in promoting resilience through basic services are highlighted in the literature, such as fostering resilience in water and sanitation systems by adapting or updating technical norms and regulations, enhancing management of services and promoting resilient technologies including de-silting of water, household water filters, modified sanitation systems and re-engineering sewer systems. Specific examples of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation measures in the health sector includes, among others, malaria-prevention strategies with the distribution of bed nets, contingency stocks of vital medicines, identification of alternative sources of energy and water in case of interruption, hygiene and nutrition campaigns and training of local health personnel in epidemiological surveillance. Finally, there are options for social protection that are pre-emptive and promote asset enhancement and skills development, as well as social funds for community-based adaptation such as weather-indexed crop insurance schemes.

Three sub-themes were selected to guide further research into the role of Basic Services in building resilience:

•  The role of service delivery in state building and reducing fragility, particularly when services are targeted at climate vulnerable groups
•  The role of service delivery in increasing resilience and building adaptive capacity and the barriers and opportunities, including political economy dimensions, for service delivery systems in fragile states to effectively meet the needs of groups vulnerable to climate extremes and disasters.
•  Enhancing the resilience of service delivery systems so that they function during and following shocks and stresses