Reconstructing Wellbeing: Bringing Public Services to Those Who Need Them Most After the Wenchuan Earthquake
UNICEF Contributes to China's Earthquake Reconstruction Strategy UNICEF has completed a policy note entitled, "Reconstructing Wellbeing: Bringing Public Services to Those Who Need Them Most After the Wenchuan Earthquake," at the invitation of the National Development and Reform Commission. The NDRC leads China's Post-Disaster Reconstruction Planning Group. The policy note emphasized the functional, financial and institutional issues that need to be addressed so that reconstructed public services truly contribute to the wellbeing of children and communities affected by the earthquake. NDRC expressed interest in UNICEF offering analysis on the social impact of the earthquake and making policy recommendations on public services to benefit children and women in the short and medium term. UNICEF thus gained an opportunity to develop a strategic partnership and provide analytical and policy inputs at the highest level. The policy note contributes to UNICEF's philosophy of "Building Back Better" for children. It sets out clearly, and for the first time, the concrete steps to be taken to build back better social services for children and their communities. UNICEF has also strengthened its partnership with the domestic research community to provide further up-stream policy advice and analytical technical assistance for China's reconstruction strategy. A study on international best practices in addressing the social impact of disasters was submitted to NDRC and the Post-Disaster National Reconstruction Planning Office in July 2008. A detailed assessment of the social impact, experience, and lessons learned was delivered in August 2008. The Post-Disaster Reconstruction Planning Group includes 30 ministries and committees under China's State Council and is responsible for formulating strategies and key policies in the 3 – 5 year reconstruction period.
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