Quick impact projects : the experience of MINUSTAH's military component

Abstract

Quick impact projects (QIPs) are by definition rapid, simple and cheap projects. QIPs have been implemented since 1992 during several United Nations (UN) missions, either with the objective to provide humanitarian aid or to “win the hearts and minds” of local people, mainly to contribute to the missions credibility. This paper analyzes the implementation of QIPs by the Military Component (MC) of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). It was observed that, although not possible to quantitatively measure the consequences of QIPs, and with some reservations, their efficiency could be verified specially in the promotion of the mission credibility; enhancing security for military operations; and finally, facilitating the implementation of the mission mandate. It is concluded that the implementation of QIPs by MINUSTAH’s MC, based on the implementation process adopted and the needs faced by MINUSTAH, is valuable and should be used as one amongst the several tools of the stabilization process