A joint programme of IOM, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and
UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) to provide sustainable
socio-economic reintegration assistance to former combatants and
ex-members of self-defence groups in central Cote d'Ivoire is
currently helping a first group of 128 individuals.

The USD 1.4 million, six-month programme, funded by the UN's
Peacebuilding Fund, aims to provide vocational training and in-kind
assistance to set up more than a thousand micro-projects that will
benefit some 1,300 demobilized individuals living in and around the
towns of Séguéla, Kani and Vavoua.

The first 36 selected micro-projects are currently supporting
the setting up of small businesses, such as cattle farming and
retailing activities, through the provision of essential equipment,
tools or animal stock.

"Priority is given to former combatants and members of
self-defence groups who choose to work together on common
income-generating projects," says IOM's Valeria Falaschi, who
coordinates the programme in the department of
Séguéla. "We expect many more micro-projects will be
soon approved to provide former combatants with the tools and
skills they require to successfully reintegrate civilian life."

In order to qualify for in-kind assistance to a maximum amount
of 420,000 FCFA (610 Euros), former combatants and ex-members of
self-defence groups must be registered with the National
Reinsertion and Community Rehabilitation Programme (PNRRC).

To date, some 10,000 ex-combatants have been disarmed,
demobilized and regrouped throughout the country by the Integrated
Command Centre, with a further 35,000 combatants and 20,000 members
of self-defence groups still in need of disarmament and
demobilization assistance. A total of 9,000 former combatants
should be integrated in the new mixed army, police and
gendarmerie.

For more information, please contact:

Jacques Seurt

IOM Abidjan

Tel: +225 22 52 82 00

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