Strategies in preventing conflicts before they occur

There is enough evidence based data since the 90s that armed conflict does impact negatively on children and their families. Although the international community has developed Conventions to protect civilians, the conflicts,... [ view full abstract ]

There is enough evidence based data since the 90s that armed conflict does impact negatively on children and their families. Although the international community has developed Conventions to protect civilians, the conflicts, which nowadays are intrastate based, the civilians are the target resulting in huge losses of human life, displacement of populations and total social, economic and political disintegration as being witnessed currently.

Estimates show that these conflicts cause death of some 2 million children and 3 times as many get injured or are permanently disabled, while millions are left psychologically scarred. Thus, violent conflict destroys and undermines all that the affected countries have done. From research records, responses to the impact of armed conflict on populations affected, including children are not scarce. However, there is general agreement that preventing conflicts and keeping peace remain the most difficult challenge leading to the question, “Can armed conflict be prevented?” Above all, given the damage they subject human beings to, is it not time that prevention becomes a priority?

The paper will be looking at efforts being made by stakeholders and identify some of the strategies that can be replicated or up scaled to prevent armed conflict before they occur. It will be pointing out the underlying factors that lead to armed conflict and the underutilization and unequal distribution of natural and human resources in countries that suffer conflicts. While one appreciates some of the preventive strategies being used, such as, diplomacy and peace keeping, one still finds both underutilized institutions and segments of the population to prevent the root causes of violent conflicts. This is what this paper will be exploring through the review of literature and reports. The paper concludes that armed conflicts can be prevented long before they happen. Thus preventing and protecting children from armed conflict effectively.