Conflict and instability in the region have caused great loss of life and the displacement of millions of people in the Arab region. Protracted conflicts in several countries and decades of Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory have also had a detrimental effect on development in member States not directly caught up in fighting. Conflict has a profound impact on socioeconomic development and countries torn apart by war can take up to 15 years to recover their pre-conflict growth trajectory. Conflict and instability in the region have caused great loss of life and the displacement of millions of people in the Arab region. Protracted conflicts in several countries and decades of Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory have also had a detrimental effect on development in member States not directly caught up in fighting. Conflict has a profound impact on socioeconomic development and countries torn apart by war can take up to 15 years to recover their pre-conflict growth trajectory. The Emerging and Conflict-related Issues Division (ECRI) of ESCWA works to mitigate the impact of crises, transition and occupation in the Arab region by building the capacity of member States to respond to conflict and related risks. It also works to promote greater regional cooperation and stronger national institutions and civil society in order to reverse the adverse of impact of spillovers from countries at war to their neighbours.