International Development

In an interview with the Portuguese newspaper Expresso, Alpaslan Özerdem, dean of the Carter School, identified the critical components of a successful reconstruction of Ukraine. According to Özerdem, the legitimacy of reconstruction rests upon including the needs of the Ukrainian population as a whole. He warned that focusing on the investment priorities of the funding parties, at the expense of the needs of the people who will live in the reconstructed zones, is a recipe for failure. Mental health, culture, and interpersonal connections in divided front-line communities should be priorities when planning reconstruction.

A lengthy and comprehensive reconstruction effort will be needed to raise Ukraine from the rubble and provide a peaceful living environment for its displaced people. Before postwar reconstruction planning can start in earnest, however, international donors and Kyiv should have a clear understanding of the challenges that may be expected.

Dr. Ernest Ogbozor is a professorial lecturer and faculty lead, Africa Research Cluster (ARC) at the School of International Service (SIS), American University.