IOM launches a Project to Reintegrate Former LTTE Combatants
Hilary Rajakarunanayake, Editor – Sri Lanka, Asian Tribune
Colombo, 13 May, (Asiantribune.com): To help reintegrate and demobilized former LTTE Tamil Tiger rebels into civilian life, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched a USAID-funded pilot project in the eastern district of Batticaloa in Sri Lanka.
"Reintegrating former combatants into society, retraining them and helping them to find jobs and generate income is not easy, but is an essential first step towards stabilization, peace and economic recovery," said IOM Sri Lanka Chief of Mission Mohammed Abdiker.
Sri Lanka has been an IOM member state since 1990 and IOM has had a major presence in the country, including six sub-offices in the north and east, since the December 2004 tsunami. In addition to the reintegration of former combatants, IOM Sri Lanka's activities include emergency response, reconstruction, technical cooperation in migration management, capacity building, counter trafficking, and return and reintegration.
In the first instance, the Information, Counselling and Referral Services (ICRS) project aims to reintegrate up to 1,000 former members of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikel (TMVP), a former armed Tamil group led by Eastern Provincial Council Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias "Pillaiyan," which split from the LTTE in 2004.
IOM programme coordinator Tatjana Cerovina says that while wanting to leave is a common reaction for former combatants in similar IOM programmes around the world, it is not a viable solution for the tens of thousands on both sides who will need to return to civilian life when peace returns to Sri Lanka.
"These men have been referred to the programme by the Ministry of Defence, which has guaranteed their security. Our job is to provide them with the information and counseling that they need to make decisions about their future. Based on their preferences, we can refer them to other agencies for training, or to employers. If they meet the right criteria, we can also arrange a small grant to help them set up their own business and generate income," Tatjana Cerovina said.
IOM has implemented post-conflict disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes that, over the past 20 years, have helped over 300,000 former combatants and 1.5 million of their dependents in 25 countries to return to normal civilian lives.
- Asian Tribune -
Comments
How would we know, that this
How would we know, that this is not another attempt to promote terrorism under the guise of rehabilitation by the west! That is what they did using NGOs under the name of peace so far, to feed LTTE. The GOSL Must control these activities and should only allow to contact IDPs by local Sri Lankans only.
As an average citizen, I would like to know why western world and not eastern world is so kind and concerned about about Sri Lankans, we are not attractive and not white, we do not have wealth or petrol to steal, we are not highly influential in world affairs, and then there must be another reason. Perhaps someone can clarify!
I think this is a necessary
I think this is a necessary and good idea. Misguided or brainwashed they are our citizens and deserve to be rehabilitated. As has been reported there were many child soldiers and they unlike the hard core tiger leaders need to be treated with sympathy. Rather than lording over the vanquished, the victor should show magnanimity and embark on this type of programme.
One thing to guard against in foreign involvement, unless with the concurrence of the GoSL.
As reported in another article today, the Catholic Bishops have offered to provide assistance in areas of psycho-social relief, counseling, aspects of child care and the supply of food and other essentials. Being of Sri Lankan origin this should be seriously considered before any outside INGO is allowed to be involved.
We must show the world that the average Sri Lankan is kind hearted and willing to help and not monsters as the western world is trying to make out.
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