The majority of conflicts in the world today are internal conflicts in developing countries, most of which take place in the poorest countries and regions in economic terms. While increasing number of ordinary citizens are victimized, the divide between the military and civilians is fading as the number of conflicts where ordinary citizens or children are perpetrators increases.
Armed conflicts do more than just destroy the infrastructure that serves as a foundation for people's livelihoods; they also tear the bonds holding the society together and increase mutual distrust and hatred. They destroy and leave a bitter legacy on the path to reconstruction. According to some statistics, close to 50% of countries return to a state of war within five years of signing a peace or cease-fire agreement.
Aid for peacebuilding requires a comprehensive approach that combines three frameworks: military, political and social/economic. Military measures and political methods, such as preventive diplomacy, are important factors in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and the consolidation of peace, as is development assistance to correct economic disparities, and improving unequal opportunities and other factors that lead to conflict.
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