As the people of South Sudan prepare for independence in June,
following the referendum earlier this year, IOM is helping
thousands of South Sudanese ex-combatants to return to civilian
life.

It is targeting nearly 10,000 demobilised former combatants in
the three states of Western Bahr El Ghazal, Northern Bahr El Ghazal
and Warrap, offering them reintegration packages, in collaboration
with the Government of Southern Sudan, local NGOs, the UN Mission
in Sudan, UNMIS, UNDP and civil society and community-based
organisations.

Since 2005, IOM has provided reintegration assistance for more
than 510,000 returnees in Southern Sudan. Its work has included
carrying out a survey of conditions in return areas, covering more
than 7,000 villages in the three states – the largest ever
such survey carried out in the south.

IOM's USD 8.8 million Disarmament, Demobilisation and
Reintegration (DDR) programme began in June 2010 and is scheduled
to continue through August 2011.  DDR is an integral part of
Sudan's Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which was signed on
9th January 2005, marking the end of Africa's longest civil
war.

The aim of the project is to contribute to the reintegration of
former combatants – including women – by helping them
to develop the skills needed for them to pursue productive and
sustainable livelihoods. These include literacy, numeracy and
entrepreneurship training.

Former combatants who take part in the programme are offered a
choice of four reintegration packages: civilian life skills,
literacy, agriculture and entrepreneurship training.

Within each package, participants are given training and
education aimed at helping them to return to civilian life. They
are also given material assistance to help them to start their own
businesses. These can include raw materials, tools, equipment and
rent for a limited period. Or they may be given help to develop
their skills further.

IOM closely monitors each beneficiary taking part in the
reintegration programme, in order to follow up on the
implementation of the scheme and to assess its impact.
Beneficiaries also have access to ongoing IOM counselling and
advisory services.

So far around 5,800 ex-combatants in Northern and Western Bahr
El Ghazal have been referred to IOM for reintegration
assistance.  A further 5,000 ex-combatants in Warrap are
expected to take part in the programme when it begins there later
this year.

For more information, please contact:

Lana Oh

IOM Sudan

Tel: +249 922 406 637

E-mail: "mailto:loh@iom.int">loh@iom.int