CIDA's Policy

on Meeting

Basic Human

Needs

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May 1997

©Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada 1997

Catalogue No.: E94-260/1997ISBN: 0-662-63017-3

Cover photo: David Barbour

Printed in Canada

CIDA’s Policy on Meeting Basic Human Needs

"The day will come when the progress of nations will be judged not by theirmilitary or economic strength, nor by the splendour of their capital cities andpublic buildings, but by the well-being of their peoples: by their levels ofhealth, nutrition and education; by their opportunities to earn a fair reward fortheir labours; by their ability to participate in the decisions that affect theirlives; by the respect that is shown for their civil and political liberties; by theprovision that is made for those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged; and bythe protection that is afforded to the growing minds and bodies of theirchildren."

(The Progress of Nations, UNICEF, 1995)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SUMMARY

1. RATIONALE FOR POLICY ............................................................................................1

2. OBJECTIVES ...................................................................................................................6

3. APPROACHES AND PRINCIPLES OF ACTION ...................................................... 11

4. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY............................................................................... 14

5. MONITORING THE POLICY .....................................................................................19

ANNEX I: Definition of Basic Human Needs.....................................................................22

ANNEX II: Relationship among the Components of Canada’s Official DevelopmentAssistance Policy with Regard to Basic Human Needs ...................................... 27

ANNEX III: References.........................................................................................................28

This document is also available at CIDA's Internet site, at the following address:http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca. (under "CIDA in Action", "Mandate, Priorities and Policies","Policies", "Meeting Basic Human Needs").

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SUMMARY OF CIDA'S POLICY ON MEETINGBASIC HUMAN NEEDS

A FUNDAMENTAL COMMITMENT

The present policy statement on Meeting Basic Human Needs indicates how CIDA will follow up on theCanadian government's commitment "... to support efforts to provide primary health care, basic education,family planning, nutrition, water and sanitation, and shelter. Canada will continue to respond toemergencies with humanitarian assistance. Canada will commit 25% of its official development assistance(ODA) to basic human needs as a means of enhancing its focus on addressing the security of the individual".

OBJECTIVES: PUTTING THEM INTO ACTION

Under this policy, Canadian cooperation is committed to pursuing four objectives:

◆ Helping to meet Canada's international commitments in key areas.◆ Building the capacities of developing countries in key areas.◆ Reaching and strengthening people and groups most in need.◆ Mobilizing and effectively utilizing necessary resources.

APPROACHES AND PRINCIPLES: AIMING FOR SUSTAINABILITY AND PERFORMANCE

To ensure the sustainability and improve the performance of activities designed to meet basic humanneeds, this policy will promote the application of the following approaches and principles of action, basedon Canadian cooperation experience:

◆ Promoting human development◆ Promoting an enabling macro-economic and political environment◆ Ensuring grass-roots participation◆ Achieving better knowledge of the local context◆ Building local capacities◆ Supporting indirect activities in the context of poverty reduction strategies◆ Promoting coordination among donors◆ Improving the consistency of activities◆ Increasing leverage◆ Using Canadian expertise with comparative advantages.

IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY: A GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP

The implementation of this policy will require a global partnership of all channels of cooperation and the inter-national community. It recognizes that developing countries have the principal responsibility for meeting thebasic human needs of poor people in their country. It implies the cooperation of all Canadian organizationsinvolved in the delivery of Canadian ODA programs, as well as their mobilization to achieve common objectives.

MONITORING THE POLICY: LEARNING FROM THE EXPERIENCE

CIDA will report on the use of ODA funds, emphasizing the results and drawing lessons learned fromexperience in order to improve its performance.

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1. RATIONALE FOR POLICY

This policy has five rationales: Canada'sofficial development assistance (ODA)mandate, the current situation in thedeveloping world, Canada's commitmentsto the international community, Canadianvalues, and the existence of basic rights.

Canada's ODA Policy

In its statement on foreign policy, Canadain the World, the Government of Canadaestablishes that "the purpose of Canada'sODA is to support sustainabledevelopment in developing countries inorder to reduce poverty and to contributeto a more secure, equitable and prosperousworld". (Canada in the World, p. 42)

CIDA has since adopted a Policy onPoverty Reduction. The objective of thispolicy is to ensure that ODA genuinely andsustainably assists in reducing the numberof poor people in developing countries andin improving their living conditions. Toensure that substantial progress is madealong these lines, the Government ofCanada has established six ODA priorities.Meeting basic human needs is one of thesepriorities. This policy statement on meetingbasic human needs seeks to clarifyobjectives, intervention priorities, actionstrategies and monitoring mechanisms.

This policy is intended to complementother CIDA policies concerned withincreasing the participation of women indevelopment, human rights, democracy andgood governance, private sectordevelopment, the environment andinfrastructure services. Experience showsthat complementary activities to generateincome for people living in poverty (such asmicro-credit, employment, productiveactivities, and so on) reinforce thesustainability and efficiency of interventionsaimed directly at meeting basic humanneeds.

This policy is also reinforced by the Strategyfor Health, the Statement on Population andSustainable Development, the HIV/AIDSstrategy (which is being revised), and awater and sanitation strategy (which iscurrently being prepared).

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Global Poverty and Basic Needs

The current global situation requires aneffective response. During the second halfof the 20th century, the network ofcommercial trade has extended around theworld, and the total wealth produced bynations has increased sevenfold. In severalcountries, this period has been characterizedby rapid growth in social developmentareas: increased life expectancy, improvedliteracy, better health and housingconditions, and so on. To date, however,this growth has not produced decent livingconditions for all human beings.Globalization and urbanization are affectingthe living environment and conditions of agrowing proportion of the population.

More than one billion people still live in astate of absolute poverty, at a level wherethey are unable to meet their basic needs.This situation affects women in particular,who represent 60% of these people. Onaverage, women have more limited access toresources, education and health care. Theysingle-handedly shoulder a large part of thetask of supporting and providing basic carefor their families–a task whose economicvalue is not always recognized. It isestimated that 800 million people sufferfrom malnutrition, including 200 millionchildren under five years of age. The rate ofpopulation growth in some parts of theworld perpetuates or aggravates the viciouscycle of poverty.

Meeting Basic Human Needs: A Priority for Canadians

A recent survey conducted for thedepartments of Foreign Affairs, Defenceand CIDA showed that four out of fiveCanadians believe it is important to helppeople in poorer countries; a substantialmajority of Canadians (74%) believe thatODA spending should be maintained(51%) or increased (23%). Canadiansbelieve that ODA priorities should beemergency assistance to ease suffering byproviding food, clothing and medicine(54%) and supporting projects that helpto meet basic human needs (52%).

Regarding basic human needs, Canadiansplace the following priorities forallocating resources per sector: cleanwater and sanitation (60%), nutrition(51%), primary health care (49%), basiceducation (47%), family planning (41%),basic housing (31%). There is a notablegender difference with regard to prioritygiven to family planning, as women aremore likely to give this program highestpriority (50%) than are men (33%).

Source: Canada and the World: Public Attitudes regarding Foreign andDefence Policy, 1995.

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Commitments by the InternationalCommunity

Canadian cooperation intends to contributeto the efforts of the internationalcommunity, which tends to focus officialdevelopment assistance (ODA) efforts onmore effectively combatting poverty andmeeting the basic needs of vulnerablepopulations. Since the early 1990s, theUnited Nations has been promoting humandevelopment that focuses on people, whoare seen as both beneficiaries and agents oftheir own development.

Several international conferences havetargeted specific aspects of this problem:children (New York, 1990), theenvironment (Rio, 1992), human rights(Vienna, 1993), population (Cairo, 1994),social development (Copenhagen, 1995),

the status of women (Beijing, 1995),habitat (Istanbul, 1996) and food (Rome,1996). The United Nations' declaration ofthe International Year (1996) and Decade(1997-2006) for the Eradication of Povertywill probably offer an opportunity tocombine all of these efforts and to rally theinternational community.

The recent commitments by the OECDDevelopment Assistance Committee inShaping the 21st Century: The Contributionof Development Co-operation have confirmedthe international community's determi-nation in this regard.

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Reducing malnutrition among children under five years of age is a keyinternational priority.

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Canadian Values

This policy also reflects the concerns andvalues of Canadians regarding ODApriorities: respect and dignity for allhuman beings, emergency relief, moreequitable access to essential services,individual responsibility, efficientmanagement of resources, andcooperation with the internationalcommunity. When asked what reasonsjustify development assistance, Canadiansput humanitarian assistance and meetingbasic human needs at the top of the list.They also want to see that financialresources are used effectively, and that aidreaches those who are most vulnerable.

Human Rights and Social Justice

Basic rights are the foundation formeeting basic human needs. TheUniversal Declaration of Human Rights(1948) and the International Covenant onEconomic, Social and Cultural Rights(1976) recognize that every human being

is entitled to decent living conditions.Performing the basic functions of life (theintake of adequate nutrition, maintenanceof health, protection, reproduction,growth) and taking part in the socio-economic and cultural life of thecommunity (learning, understanding,communicating, producing, exchanging)are considered to be people's most basicneeds.

In this context, the principle of socialjustice suggests that access to socialservices be universal. No citizen should beexcluded for reasons having to do withhuman rights (discrimination on thegrounds of race, sex, language, religion orethnicity), for socio-economic reasons(vulnerable groups and people living inpoverty), or because of specific situations(neglect, loss of autonomy, disability andso on).

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Basic Human Needs – A Few Facts

In today's world, one out of every 200 human beings is a refugee or displaced person. Between 1970and 1994, the number of refugees increased ninefold, from 3 million to 27 million people. Morethan three-quarters of the world's population live in developing countries, but share only 16% ofworld revenue, while 20% who live in developed countries use 85% of the world's wealth. One outof every three people lives in poverty. More than one billion individuals have no access to basic socialservices such as basic education and health care, drinking water and adequate food.

Health: Approximately 17 million people die every year because of infectious or parasitic diseases,such as diarrhea, malaria and tuberculosis. In developing countries, the mortality rate for childrenunder 5 (100 per 1,000 live births) is seven times as high as in industrialized countries. From 1960to 1990, life expectancy increased by one-third, and 30 countries now have a life expectancy rate ofmore than 70 years. The infant mortality rate has decreased by half, from 149 per 1,000 to 70 per1,000, although the rate in less-developed countries (LDCs) is 110 per 1,000.

Education: Roughly 130 million children of primary school age and 275 million of secondaryschool age do not attend school. In recent years, the primary school enrolment rate has risen from48% to 77%. The combined school enrolment rate (primary and secondary) for girls rose from38% to 68%. The adult literacy rate remains 46% in LDCs, and the overall school enrolment ratiois 34%, rising to 76% in countries with a high human development index (HDI).

Family planning and reproductive health: The fertility rate has declined by more than one-third inrecent decades. In developing countries, the maternal mortality rate, at more than 350 per 100,000live births, is nine times as high as in OECD countries. The maternal mortality rate doubled inLDCs, i.e., 608 per 100,000 live births.

Nutrition: Nearly 800 million people do not have sufficient food, and approximately 500 millionsuffer from chronic malnutrition. In 1990, the average daily calorie intake was 2,027 calories forLDCs, compared with 2,826 calories for countries with a high HDI. More than one-third ofchildren are undernourished.

Water and sanitation: Access to safe drinking water has risen from 36% of the population to 70%in recent years. In LDCs, 48% have access to drinking water, and 33% have access to sanitationservices.

Shelter: In 1992, in LDCs, 21% of the total population was living in cities, i.e., double theproportion in 1960 (9%). By the turn of the century, the proportion will have reached 25%,implying that urban infrastructures will be even more severely pressured, that housing will be evenmore scarce, and that access to social services will be reduced.

Source: Human Development Report 1995.

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Objective 2: Strengthening the capacitiesof developing countries in key areas

Canadian cooperation will seek to assistdeveloping countries in establishing thenecessary means and conditions to achievethese concrete results, with emphasis onthe following activities:

2. OBJECTIVES

Under this policy, Canadian cooperation iscommitted to pursuing four objectives:

Objective 1: Helping to meet Canada'sinternational commitments in key areas

Canada has subscribed to the commitmentsdefined by the international community in

Objectives stated in Shaping the 21st Century

• A reduction by half in the percentage of people living in extreme poverty in developingcountries by the year 2015;

• universal primary education in all countries by 2015;

• demonstrated progress toward gender equality and the empowerment of women by eliminatinggender disparity in primary and secondary education by 2005;

• a reduction by two-thirds in the mortality rates for infants and children under age 5 and areduction by three-fourths in maternal mortality, all by 2015;

• access through the primary health-care system to reproductive health services, including safeand reliable family planning methods, for all individuals of appropriate ages as soon as possibleand no later than the year 2015.

Source: Shaping the 21st Century, OECD-DAC, 1996.

key areas at various recent internationalconferences and summits. CIDA willcontribute to achieving the objectivesreiterated in DAC's Shaping the 21stCentury (see box) and the World Summitfor Social Development in Copenhagen(see box: "Other Priority Objectives of theInternational Community").

◆ Strengthening the public and para-public sectors and local governments:(a) to define social priorities anddevelop policies and programs thatrelate to meeting basic needs, and (b) tobuild the capacity of local institutions(including governments andmunicipalities) to mobilize thenecessary human, material and

financial resources, to manage themproperly and to be publicly accountablefor the results achieved.

◆ Supporting civil society, includingnon-profit organizations (grass-rootscommunity groups, farmers' associa-tions, religious organizations, NGOs),cooperatives, universities and privatebusinesses: (a) to promote knowledge ofthe local community, involvement bycitizens and the equitable expression ofneeds, (b) to improve the delivery andmanagement of services by and to thepeople, (c) to promote social policydialogue aimed at equity and povertyreduction.

◆ Encouraging coordinated efforts andpartnership between governmentauthorities, civil society and the privatesector to improve the effectiveness andperformance of social policies andprograms.

Objective 3: Reaching and strengtheningpeople and groups most in need

Canadian cooperation will seek to reachpeople living in poverty and to build theircapacity to meet basic needs. Efforts willthus be focused mainly on women,children and youth living in poverty, andthose in situations of emergency.

◆ Women: Women often have limitedaccess to social services, and yet they arethe ones most responsible for thefamily. Their work needs to berecognized socio-economically, andworkloads need to be better distributedwithin the family and in society.Women must thus participate fully inthe decision-making process regardingthe allocation of resources and theestablishment of social services for thefamily, the community and society atlarge. Canadian cooperation willcontinue its efforts to ensure that thecommitments made at the BeijingConference are met.

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Social mobilization is important in finding solutions to socialproblems such as AIDS.

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Other Priority Objectives of the International Community

Health: Life expectancy of not less than 60 years in any country. By the year 2000, reduction of mortalityrates of infants and children under five years of age by one-third of the 1990 level, or 50 to 70 per 1,000live births; by the year 2015, achievement of an infant mortality rate of 35 to 45 per 1,000 live births.Ensuring primary health care for all. Reducing malaria mortality and morbidity by 20% compared with1995 levels in 75% of affected countries (especially in Africa). Eradicating, eliminating or controllingmajor diseases constituting global health problems.

Family planning and reproductive health: By the year 2000, a reduction in maternal mortality byone half of the 1990 level; by the year 2015, a further reduction by one half. Making reproductivehealth services accessible to all individuals no later than the year 2015.

Basic education: Universal access to basic education and completion of primary education by 80% ofchildren; universal primary education by the year 2015. Achieving an equal enrolment rate for girls andboys as soon as possible. Reduce the adult illiteracy rate by half of the 1990 level. Closing the gendergap in education.

Nutrition: Achieving food security. By the year 2000, a reduction of malnutrition among children underfive years of age by half of the 1990 level.

Food: Reducing the number of under-nourished people by half of its current level, by 2015.

Water and sanitation: Providing access to safe drinking water in sufficient quantities and propersanitation.

Shelter: By the year 2000, improving the availability of adequate shelter for all.

Source: Report of the World Summit for Social Development, 1995, Chapter 2C and World Food Summit, 1996.

◆ Children and youth: Children are avery vulnerable group. Orphans, streetchildren, children living with HIV andAIDS, and children who are victims ofcommercial sexual exploitation must beprotected. Girls are often excluded,especially in education. Furthermore, inmost developing countries, youngpeople form the largest demographicgroup, with children under 18accounting for more than 50% of thetotal population. Appropriate literacyprograms, vocational training and civiceducation foster their integration intothe labour force and prepare them for

their role as citizens. Canadiancooperation will continue its efforts tomeet the commitments made at theWorld Summit for Children.

◆ Victims of Emergencies: Naturaldisasters and socio-political conflicts aregiving rise to a flood of displacedpersons and refugees, who do not haveaccess to the minimum resourcesnecessary for survival. Special attentionwill be given to using food aid andhumanitarian assistance for develop-ment purposes. Canadian cooperationwill continue to respond, within its

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Objective 4: Mobilizing and effectivelyutilizing necessary resources

Meeting basic human needs is anenormous task. All stakeholders must helpto mobilize the necessary resources and touse them more effectively, in accordancewith the specific needs of each country orregion.

◆ Achieving the 25% target: In its policystatement, Canada in the World, theGovernment of Canada committeditself to allocating 25% of total ODAresources to meet basic human needs,including emergency relief. This totalcommitment applies to all departments,public and private corporations, andnon-profit organizations involved inmanaging Canadian ODA. CIDA willreport on its contribution made in thisregard.

means, to appeals by nationalgovernments and international agenciesresponsible for dealing with suchsituations.

◆ Capacity building: The preferredapproach will be to empowerindividuals and the groups andorganizations to which they belong. Inparticular, equitable access to qualitysocial services (including education,health and family planning), withoutdiscrimination, will be promoted forfamilies and their members. Specialemphasis will be focused on theeducation of girls. The food productioncapacity of people living in poverty inrural areas will be increased. Moreover,heads of households (particularlywomen) will be encouraged toparticipate in defining and managingkey social services.

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Addressing basic human needs starts at an early age.

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◆ Contributing to the 20/20 initiative:At the Copenhagen Summit and theOslo Conference, Canada supportedthe 20/20 initiative. This initiativeencourages the governments of developingcountries to allocate 20% of their publicexpenditures to basic social services. Italso asks developed countries to allocate20% of their ODA to these sectors.Bilateral programs will contribute tothis initiative on the basis of prioritiesand needs. International organizationsfunded by Canadian ODA will beencouraged to contribute to imple-menting the initiative.

◆ Increasing effectiveness: Better use ofresources will increase the resultsachieved by Canadian contributions.Exchanging experiences involvingbilateral partners, non-governmentalorganizations and multilateral agencieswill favour the adoption of the mosteffective methods.

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3. APPROACHES AND PRINCIPLES OF ACTION

To ensure the sustainability and improvethe performance of activities designed tomeet basic human needs, this policy willpromote the application of the followingapproaches and principles of action, basedon Canadian cooperation experience:

◆ Promoting human development – Ahuman-centred development approachwill constitute the basic criterion forjudging the relevance of activities tomeet basic human needs. The questionwill be whether the project or programallows an improvement in the livingconditions and capacities of theindividuals, families and communitiesconcerned.

◆ Promoting an enabling macro-economic and political environment– The existence of an enabling macro-economic and political environment isa decisive factor in implementingstrategies to meet basic needs. Levels ofeconomic growth, indebtedness, goodgovernance and participation inpolitical life directly affect socialpolicies and their chances of success.Bilateral and multilateral policydialogue will foster the existence of anenabling macro-economic and politicalclimate. Canada will continue toencourage the reduction of excessivemilitary spending, one of the reasonsfor inadequate funding of basic socialservices.

◆ Ensuring grass-roots participation –Government has a central role to playin managing social services.Intermediate groups in civil society(cooperatives, civic associations,

businesses and so on) and citizens haveresponsibilities in this regard asbeneficiaries or agents in producingservices. Experience shows thatparticipation by individuals and groupsconcerned allows appropriate responseto people's needs, increases the sense ofownership, and ensures thesustainability of activities. This isparticularly true of the participation ofwomen. CIDA has conducted a reviewof its experience and potential in thisarea (see Annex III: References).

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Women play an important role in addressing basic human needssuch as nutrition.

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◆ Achieving better knowledge of thelocal context – Knowledge of the localcontext, including community andglobal aspects, remains an essential keyto the success of social developmentactivities. This means identifyingstructural economic, social or culturalconstraints, identifying recipientgroups, setting targets for each activityand defining indicators to measureresults. Adequate resources must beallocated to these social assessments.Local partners must play an active rolein these operations. Participatoryapproaches must be favoured. CIDA'sHandbook for Social and Gender Analysissuggests various possible approaches(see Annex III: References).

◆ Building local capacities – Thepurpose of development projects is tohelp local partners to become self-sufficient. Capacity building is acomprehensive approach that operateson three levels: developing local humanresources capable of designing andimplementing programs (micro);providing institutional support foreffective and transparent management(meso); and defining and implementingpolicies and an appropriate legalframework (macro).

◆ Supporting indirect activities in thecontext of poverty reductionstrategies – While it identifies anumber of areas as priorities, this policyrecognizes that other activitiescontribute indirectly to meeting basichuman needs. Poverty reduction

strategies must attach particularimportance to activities that promoteemployment, production, incomegeneration, and access to credit for thepoorest. These activities will increaseaccess to basic social services, whichhelp to meet basic human needs in asustainable manner. The network ofrelationships between key areas andCanada's other official developmentassistance priorities is illustrated by thechart in Annex II.

◆ Promoting coordination amongdonors – Meeting basic human needswill be a priority in policy dialogue atinternational meetings, in consultativegroups and at United Nations forums.Special attention will be paid to thecoordination and complementarity ofthe roles played by the various bilateraland multilateral cooperation agencies.Developing countries themselves mustplay a central role in this coordinationeffort.

◆ Improving the consistency ofactivities – Canadian cooperation willfavour the consistency of activitiessupported by Canadian ODA officials,non-profit organizations, privatebusinesses and multilateral agencies inaccordance with national povertyreduction strategies. Similarly, theconsistency of activities to meet basicneeds with other Canadian ODApriorities (status of women, productiveactivities, infrastructure, human rights,the environment) will also be a guidingprinciple in program planning.

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◆ Increasing leverage – Multi-sectoralapproaches will be encouraged to avoidfragmenting and compartmentalizingactivities by sector. Preference will begiven to approaches designed toinfluence several aspects of socialservices that have multiplier effects for agiven community (such as health, waterand sanitation, agricultural production,nutrition), or that increase the benefitsof the resources invested (such aseducating girls).

◆ Using Canadian expertise withcomparative advantages – The use,availability and adaptability ofCanadian expertise will be favoured forpartnership, bilateral and multilateralprograms. Niches where this expertise ismost appropriate must be determinedon the basis of developing countryneeds, Canada's comparativeadvantages, and potential multipliereffects in terms of results and impacts.

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The education of girls has multiplier effects on health, population and income.

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4. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

In accordance with our national andinternational commitments, CIDA policyintends to favour and give priority tospecific areas of intervention whilerecognizing the need for a globalpartnership among the differentimplementation mechanisms.

Key Areas

The Statement on Foreign Policy identifiesthe following key areas of intervention (seeAnnex I):

• Primary health care• Family planning and reproductive

health• Basic education• Food and nutrition• Water and sanitation• Shelter• Humanitarian assistance.

The Statement on Foreign Policy recognizesthat humanitarian assistance is oftennecessary to meet the basic human needsof people in situations of emergency. Thispolicy acknowledges this principle ofequity and justice toward those who areoften the most vulnerable. This isconsistent with the commitment made atthe Copenhagen Summit.

The importance to be attached to each ofthese areas depends on the analysis of thecountry's needs and Canada's ability torespond effectively. Sectoral strategies maysuggest various specific means and

approaches for each area of intervention.Various participatory methods may beused for recipients to identify their needs.Priority will be given to activities that acton causes and structures, and that havelong-term sustainability.

CIDA has developed a precise definitionfor each key area (see Annex I). CIDA'sactivity coding system for developmentassistance priorities will make it possible toreport on basic social services that excludefood aid, humanitarian assistance andshelter.

Global Partnership

The implementation of this policy willrequire a global partnership of all channelsof cooperation. It recognizes thatdeveloping countries have the principalresponsibility for meeting the basic humanneeds of poor people in their country. Italso implies the cooperation of allCanadian organizations involved in thedelivery of Canadian official developmentassistance programs, as well as theirmobilization to achieve commonobjectives.

Bilateral Programs

At the bilateral level, various means will beused and various actions will beundertaken to achieve the objectives of thispolicy.

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◆ Policy frameworks and povertyprofiles – Country or regionaldevelopment policy frameworks(C/RDPF) and poverty profiles serve todetermine how the main objectives ofCanadian ODA will be pursued in thetarget area. This should allow for: (a)identifying the most vulnerable groups;(b) specifying areas where Canadiancooperation could help to meet basicneeds; (c) establishing parameters inallocating resources to meet basic needs.

◆ Program planning aimed at meetingbasic needs – Based on the priorities ofthese country or regional developmentpolicy frameworks, a thematic strategyon basic human needs can bedeveloped. This strategy will beestablished in accordance with nationalpoverty reduction strategies. HumanDevelopment: Guide for ThematicPlanning is a tool that can facilitate thisprocess (see References).

◆ Design and delivery of specificprojects – Programs that directly seekto meet basic human needs may includeseveral projects based on thedefinitions, approaches, objectives andguiding principles of this policy.Managers of these projects will ensurethat they strike the necessary balancebetween achieving concrete results,implementing a participatory process,and promoting capacity building.

◆ Use of counterpart funds – CIDA willencourage consultation with its localpartners, so that the funds generated byCanadian aid serve to support projectsdesigned to meet basic human needs,and adequate follow-up is provided.This policy could be appliedparticularly to counterpart fundsgenerated by food aid, which should be

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Good housing conditions are often a basis for health and well-being.

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used to reduce the dependency ofpeople living in poverty on outside foodaid.

◆ Voluntary sector and country focusapproach – CIDA bilateral programswill seek to use the services of Canadiannon-profit organizations that haveacquired expertise in key areas tosupport initiatives and capacities indeveloping countries.

Canadian Partnership

A large portion of Canadian ODA ischannelled through a wide network ofNGOs, institutions, cooperatives andprivate firms. They are effective vehiclesfor the values of Canadian society andhelp to lend a human face which is thehallmark of Canadian cooperationoverseas. Many of these organizations andbusinesses have also acquired considerableexpertise in meeting basic human needs, aswell as knowledge of local partners andareas of intervention.

The Canadian Partnership Branch willsupport the implementation of this policythrough the following initiatives:

◆ Non-governmental organizations –Supporting NGOs and local partners indeveloping effective communityintervention programs, aimed ataddressing the needs of the poorest andbuilding the capacities of localvoluntary organizations.

◆ Specialized institutions – Supportingthe efforts of universities, colleges,associations and other specializedinstitutions to increase human resourceand institutional capacities in technicalfields associated with basic humanneeds (health workers, teachers, socialprogram administrators, communitydevelopment workers, and so on) indeveloping countries.

◆ Private sector – Supporting Canadianprivate-sector expertise in areas whereCanada has a comparative advantage, toensure that this know-how benefitsdeveloping countries where basichuman needs are concerned.

◆ Partnership and consultation –Recognizing the experience andexpertise of NGOs, institutions and theprivate sector in areas associated withmeeting basic human needs, andseeking to learn lessons from thisexperience, to identify best practices,and to disseminate and share thisinformation with Canadians.

Multilateral Programs

As far as multilateral programs areconcerned, Canadian ODA officials willinvite agencies seeking Canadian ODAsupport to ensure that their programscomplement the objectives of this policy orhelp to achieve them. Consultation amongmultilateral agencies will be encouraged.Where appropriate, Canada will encourage

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multilateral organizations of which it is amember to address the following issues orundertake the following related activities:

◆ Promoting sustainable developmentand poverty reduction – Encouragingmultilateral agencies to contribute tosustainable development in developingcountries, particularly through supportfor a macro-economic environmentthat enables economic and socialdevelopment. Contributing to povertyreduction in developing countries.Improving the quality of povertyassessments in the countries concerned.Undertaking these assessments in aparticipatory manner.

◆ Effective utilization of resources –Favouring dialogue on policy and goodgovernance, through multilateralagencies, so that governments can fulfiltheir legitimate responsibilities to meetthe basic needs of all citizens, so as toencourage (and not replace) localinitiatives.

◆ Humanitarian assistance – Offeringhumanitarian assistance that focuses onmeeting basic human needs inemergencies, in cooperation withmultilateral agencies. Working withmultilateral agencies to provide acoordinated, timely and effectiveresponse to appeals for humanitarianassistance.

◆ Disaster preparedness and recons-truction activities – Improving disasterpreparedness and conflict prevention orresolution mechanisms. Where appro-priate, ensuring that humanitarianassistance projects are complementedby reconstruction activities andinitiatives. Promoting the return ofdisplaced persons and refugees bysupporting the re-establishment ofcommunity structures and services.

Access to water is essential for family needs and food production.C

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◆ United Nations conferences andsummits – Promoting the coordinationof UN initiatives, particularly throughthe inter-agency task forces establishedto follow up UN conferences andsummits. Examining the measures thatmultilateral agencies will implement tofollow up on commitments made atinternational meetings to address thebasic human needs of people indeveloping countries.

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Monitoring of Results

CIDA's officials will monitor this policy,using existing management systems wherepossible. This will be done in conjunctionwith the Performance Review on basichuman needs. The monitoring of thepolicy will include the followingcomponents:

◆ Reporting on results: Providingvarious quantitative and qualitativemeasurements to evaluate resultsachieved in key areas, target groups andcapacity building.

◆ Measuring the allocation of resourcesto follow up on Canada's commitmentto allocate 25% of ODA resources.(This will take into account the level ofeffort devoted to humanitarianassistance and development programs.)

◆ Producing gender-disaggregatedanalyses and measuring resultsachieved for women.

◆ Learning lessons from experienceregarding best practices and operationalconstraints that affect programeffectiveness (this includes analyzingthe global situation). The methods usedshould be participatory and aimed atdeveloping a knowledge-based Agency.

5. MONITORING THE POLICY

Strengthening CIDA's Capacity

The following measures will beimplemented to build the Agency'scapacity to produce anticipated resultsquickly in a spirit of consultation:

◆ Working Group on SocialDevelopment – This working groupwas established in 1993 to plan andfollow up the Copenhagen Summit. Itwill be used to provide technicalsupport in implementing this policyand monitoring the progress ofactivities. Some tasks may be added toits current responsibilities.

◆ Training for program and projectmanagers – The Agency will train itsstaff in the various aspects of basichuman needs (second generation ofsustainable development courses,sessions on participatory developmentand capacity building, secondgeneration of courses on women indevelopment).

◆ Building technical teams for keyareas – The Agency will considervarious measures (recruitment, establish-ment of standing offers and so on), toensure access to appropriate in-houseand external expertise in key areas, aswell as the capacity to analyze multi-and cross-sectoral considerations.

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Consultation and Accountability

To encourage consultation and dialogue,data concerning the results achieved withrespect to this policy on meeting basichuman needs will be made available to thevarious partners involved in Canadiancooperation. Consultation meetings willbe held on the basis of this information toanalyze lessons learned from experienceand to improve activities. Similarly, resultswill be communicated to Canadians atlarge to inform them of the achievement ofthis Canadian ODA priority.

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CANADA’S ODA MANDATE

The purpose of Canada's ODA is to support sustainable development in developingcountries in order to reduce poverty and to contribute to a more secure, equitableand prosperous world. To achieve this purpose, Canadian ODA will concentrateavailable resources on the following six program priorities:

Basic human needs: to support efforts to provide primary health care, basiceducation, family planning, nutrition, water, sanitation and shelter. Canada willcontinue to respond to emergencies with humanitarian assistance. Canada willcommit 25% of its ODA to basic human needs as a means of enhancing its focus onaddressing the security of the individual.

Women in development: to support the full participation of women as equal partnersin the sustainable development of their societies.

Infrastructure services: to help developing countries to deliver environmentallysound infrastructure services, with an emphasis on poorer groups and on capacitydevelopment.

Human rights, democracy and good governance: to increase respect for humanrights, including children's rights, to promote democracy and better governance, andto strengthen both civil society and the security of the individual.

Private sector development: to promote sustained and equitable economic growth bysupporting private sector development in developing countries.

The environment: to help developing countries to protect their environment and tocontribute to addressing global and regional environmental issues.

Source: Canada in the World, 1995, p. 42.

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ANNEX 1 – Definition of Basic Human Needs:Version Adopted by CIDA in July 1995Updated in February 1997

Background

The Statement on Foreign Policy definesthe priority of basic human needs asfollows:

"... to support efforts to provideprimary health care, basiceducation, family planning,nutrition, water and sanitation, andshelter. Canada will continue torespond to emergencies withhumanitarian assistance. Canadawill commit 25% of its ODA tobasic human needs as a means ofenhancing its focus on addressingthe security of the individual."(Canada in the World, p. 42)

To ensure effectiveness and transparency inreporting, the coding system will includethe following categories: primary healthcare, basic education, family planning andreproductive health care, nutrition,nutrition – emergency, water andsanitation, shelter, humanitarian assistanceand integrated basic human needs. Theactivities listed under each category areindicative, not exclusive.

0101. Primary Health Care

• Prevention and control of diseases:Immunization against major infectiousdiseases. Prevention and control ofendemic diseases, including theExpanded Program on Immunization(EPI), diarrheal diseases, HIV/AIDS,malaria and other major programs.Anti-smoking initiatives.

• Basic curative care: Treatment ofcommon diseases and injuries.Provision of essential drugs.

• Health education: Access toinformation, education and trainingfor local populations about prevailinghealth problems, including methods ofidentification, prevention and control.School health programs to treat worminfections and micronutrientdeficiencies, and to provide healtheducation.

• Health personnel development: Stafftraining in primary health care.Training for nurses, health aides,administrators and other personnel(such as midwives). Support fortraining facilities and training materials(excluding medical training for tertiarycare).

• Capacity building: Strengthening ofservices in rural and urban areas, witha focus on better quality and moreaccessible services. Strengthening ofdistrict hospitals and health servicemanagement. Capacity building ofinstitutions delivering primary healthcare. Development of coordinatedpolicies to improve primary healthprograms.

Note: A broader definition of primaryhealth care would include most aspects offamily planning and reproductive healthcare, and some aspects of nutrition, waterand sanitation (see below).

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0102. Basic Education

• Early childhood development: Childcare, stimulation and learning throughfamily and community-basedprograms and pre-school institutions.Education for children in difficultcircumstances.

• Primary education and alternativeprograms: Infrastructure developmentand upgrading of facilities andequipment. Curriculum development.Teacher training and skills upgrading.Provision of learning materials.Evaluation of academic achievement.School feeding programs.

• Basic education for youth andadults: Literacy and numeracyprograms designed for differentsectors. Formal and non-formaleducation programs providing basicskills training in health, nutrition,population and agriculturaltechniques. Education programsthrough traditional and modernmedia, and other forms ofcommunication.

• Capacity building: Improved systemand institutional management.Development of coordinated policiesto improve the delivery of basiceducation programs. Policies andprograms designed to remove barriersthat prevent girl children and womenfrom gaining access to education.

0103. Family Planning andReproductive Health Care

• Family planning services: Client-centred family planning programs.Delivery of contraceptive services.Capacity building for information,education and communicationregarding family planning, populationand development issues.

• Basic reproductive health services:Information and routine services forprenatal, normal and safe delivery, andpostnatal care. Access to safe birthcontrol methods and reproductivehealth services. Education andinformation on reproductive healthand against harmful practices.Counselling. Diagnosis and treatmentof infections related to pregnancy anddelivery complications.

• Sexually transmitted diseases andHIV/AIDS prevention programs:Information, education, communi-cation, referral and counselling servicesfor sexually transmitted diseases,including HIV/AIDS. Mass media andin-school education programs.

• Capacity building: National capacitybuilding through support for training.Improvement of gender-disaggregatedinformation management andstatistical systems. Support fordemographic and program-related datacollection and analysis. Policydevelopment research.

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0104. Food and Nutrition

• Household food security: Activitiesto improve access to food at thehousehold and community levels. Thisincludes home gardening, training ofagricultural extensionists and foodproducers with a gender perspective,food security for landless workers andurban and peri-urban poor house-holds. Support to improve local foodproduction, animal husbandry,traditional fisheries, storage facilitiesand applied food crop research.

• Micronutrient malnutrit ion:Identification of micronutrientdeficiencies. Provision of Vitamin A,iodine, iron and other micronutrientsthrough supplementation, fortificationand change of diet, especially forchildren and pregnant women.Promotion of breast feeding. Improvedchild nutrition practices.

• Capacity building: Training onnutritional issues directed at allhousehold members. Communityparticipation and empowerment.Establishment of community-basednutritional status information systems.Collection and processing of local andnational gender-disaggregated data onnutritional status. Improved nationalnutrition policies and strategies.Development of long-term foodsecurity policies.

0105. Nutrition - Emergency

• Direct feeding programs: Distri-bution of food and associated supportin managing feeding programs.Distribution of food aid onhumanitarian grounds or throughdevelopment programs.

0106. Water and Sanitation

• Drinking water supply: Provision ofwater supply through low-costtechnologies, including hand pumps,wells, boreholes, gravity-fed systemsand rainwater collection. Storage tanksin rural and peri-urban areas.

• Water treatment: Low-cost systemsfor preventing or eliminatingcontamination of water supplies.Chlorination and filtering. Slow-sandor low-cost filtration water treatmentplants. Rural or peri-urban watertreatment.

• Sanitation: Low-cost, on-site sani-tation, including grey and sanitarywaste water disposal, latrines and othersystems. Water-borne sanitation ofsewage disposal systems, includingsmall-bore sewerage, conventionalsewerage and septic tanks. Liquidwaste treatment, includingconventional treatment, wastestabilization ponds, resource recovery(biogas, aquaculture, composting).

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• Health concerns: Control oftransmission routes. Drainage andspraying of breeding grounds.Improved control of diseases andinfections caused by unsanitaryconditions. Safe storage of water.Health education related to water-borne diseases.

• Capacity building: Training in themaintenance and repair of low-costwater and sanitation systems.Promotion of community partici-pation, social mobilization and gender-balanced approaches. Support forinstitution and capacity building in thearea of water supply. Development ofcoordinated policies to improve thedelivery of water and sanitationprograms.

0107. Shelter

• Access to housing: Construction andrenovation of low-cost housing,including access to building materialsand related infrastructure. Improvingland tenure security for people livingin poverty. Access to low-cost housingthrough credit mechanisms.

• Community involvement in housing:Promoting participation by civilsociety in defining and meetinghousing needs. Increase in,strengthening of, and support for theparticipation of women in housing

programs. Training for communitygroups. Support for businesses in theformal and informal sectors in theconstruction and renovation of low-cost housing.

• Capacity building: Support indeveloping and managing housingprograms. Promotion of the use ofappropriate, low-cost techniques andmaterials. Training of builders,construction workers and adminis-trators. Development of policies andprograms designed to help improvehousing supply (such as pricecontrols). Development of policies toaddress land and property tenure inrural and urban areas.

0108. Humanitarian Assistance

• Emergency assistance: Provision offood, primary health care, drinkingwater and sanitation services, andtemporary shelter for refugees andpeople in emergencies or to ensurehuman safety and security, such asmine clearing.

0109. Integrated Basic Human Needs

• Integrated projects: Integratedstrategies involving several sectors(such as health, education and water,food production and distribution),which make it possible to meet basichuman needs.

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• Community development: Localdevelopment funds. Emergency fundsto minimize the negative impacts ofstructural adjustment. Counterpartfunds to meet basic human needs.Support for community organizations.

• Institution building: Building thecapacity of institutions to improve thedelivery of essential social services.Public sector reforms related toredesigning social policy on meetingbasic human needs.

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ANNEX II – Relationship among the Components ofCanada’s Official Development AssistancePolicy

ODA MANDATE: POVERTY REDUCTION ANDSUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

INFRASTRUCTURESERVICES

• Social infrastructures

• Economic infrastructures

HUMAN RIGHTS,DEMOCRACY AND

GOVERNANCE

• Respect for social rights

• Good governance

BASIC HUMANNEEDS

• Primary health care

• Basic education

• Nutrition

• Water and sanitation

• Shelter

• Humanitarian assistance

• Integrated projects

WOMEN INDEVELOPMENT

• Gender equity approach

ENVIRONMENT

• Environmental safety

• Health (air, water, climate)

• Maintenance of production capacities

• Active partners in social programs

• Family planning and reproductive health

• Participation of civil society

PRIVATE SECTOR

• Job creation

• Availability of credit

• Favourable macro-economic context

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ANNEX III – References

CIDA, A Handbook for Social and Gender Analysis, prepared by the Coady Institute, 1989.

CIDA, Human Development: Guide for Thematic Planning, 1993.

CIDA, Learning for Results: Issues, Trends and Lessons Learned in Basic Human Needs(Literature Review), Performance Review Division, June 1996.

CIDA, Participatory Development: A Brief Review of CIDA's Experience and Potential,1994.

CIDA, Strategy for Health, Policy Branch, November 1996.

CIDA, Selective Bibliography on Basic Human Needs, International DevelopmentInformation Centre, November 1995.

Government of Canada, Canada in the World, Government Statement, Ottawa, February1995.

OECD, Shaping the 21st Century: The Contribution of Development Co-operation,Development Assistance Committee, Paris, May 1996.

UNDP, Human Development Report, New York, 1990-1996 (annual).

UNICEF, The Progress of Nations, New York, 1993-1996 (annual).

UNICEF, State of the World's Children, New York, 1995 (annual).

United Nations, World Summit for Social Development: The Copenhagen Declaration andProgramme of Action, March 6-12, 1995, New York, 1995.

United Nations, World Food Summit: Rome Declaration on World Food Security and WorldFood Summit Plan of Action, FAO, 1996.