IOM teams are continuing to provide support to an on-going
Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) programme for
former combatants in Eastern Sudan.

Thousands of former fighters are currently assembled in three
camps located in Girba and Kassala, Kassala State and in Karsogo,
Port Sudan State, where they are being registered by IOM and its
partners.

The programme, which is funded by the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) and carried out in close coordination with the
National Commission on DDR, has over the past month registered a
total of 1,332 former combatants, including 284 elderly and 153
disabled. A further 224 minors have been registered by the United
Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Prior to the registration process, IOM constructed and equipped
registration offices in all three camps and provided medical
screening to former combatants. HIV counselling was provided by the
National Commission on DDR.

Each registered ex-combatant has received a one-time cash grant
of USD 250 and clothing from the National Commission as early
reinsertion support. 

As part of the process, PACT Sudan, a partner NGO is currently
carrying out a survey with IOM and UNDP support to evaluate the
medium- to long-term needs of former combatants and their families,
to help them reintegrate in the States of Gedaref, Red Sea and
Kassala.

Former combatants from the Eastern Sudan Front began laying down
their arms following the signing in October 2006 of the Eastern
Sudan Peace Agreement. The agreement, between members of the
Eastern Front and the Government of National Unity, put an end to
years of skirmishes.

IOM is currently carrying out DDR programmes in several parts of
the world, including Afghanistan, Angola, Colombia and
Indonesia.

For more information, please contact:

Simona Opitz

IOM Khartoum

Tel: + 249 (0) 9123 39700

E-mail: "mailto:sopitz@iom.int" target="_blank" title=
"">sopitz@iom.int