The National Rehabilitation Commission has launched the first phase of implementation for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) program with more than USD 60 million, targeting 75,000 ex-combatants in Tigray.
The Commission announced on Wednesday that rehabilitation efforts had begun at a training center in Mekelle, seat of the Tigray regional administration. Similar centers are expected to begin work in Edaga Hamus and Adwa soon, according to Commissioner Temesgen Tilahun.
He revealed initial plans to incorporate 10 centers into the rehabilitation initiative before the figure was eventually cut by half.
“These centers were previously used by the Northern Command of the National Defense Force, but they were damaged during the war. The repair and maintenance work took us a considerable amount of time,” said Temesgen.
Tigray accounts for close to two-thirds of the 372,000 ex-combatants to be included in DDR works in six regional states, according to the Commissioner.
However, the number has yet to be verified at the demobilization centers. The DDR program is to progress in four phases and could take up to two years to complete.
The first phase includes 75,000 ex-combatants from Tigray with priority for women, the elderly, and disabled persons. They will be followed by 100,000 in the second phase (with the majority from Tigray), another 150,000 ex-combatants in the third phase, and 50,000 in the final phase.
Temesgen expects to see the first phase completed within four months’ time.
The Commissioner estimates that up to USD 762 million is required to cover costs for the entire program, while at least half a billion USD is needed for former combatants’ disarmament, demobilization training and temporary reintegration into society.
The NRC has garnered USD 60 million from international donors and the federal government has injected another one billion birr for the implementation of the first phase of the program.
“The federal government issued the budget last July. If that had not been released, we would not be launching the program now,” said Temesgen. ”This is just enough to carry out the first round.”
The Commission reports 320 ex-combatants handed in their weapons and entered the training center in Mekele in the two days following launch. A ceremony was held to mark the occasion with Ministry of Defense, Tigray Interim Administration and AU officials in attendance.
After handing in their weapons, the ex-combatants are taken to the training center and pr
provided with the resources they need for six days of training.
The Commission registers trainees using software developed in collaboration with the UN Development Program (UNDP) and issues them with a ‘former combatant’ designated ID card.
The state-owned Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) has also signed on to open deposit accounts for ex-fighters who sign up for the training. Funds will be transferred to these accounts to aid reintegration into society, but it is not clear how much.
Former fighters participating in the first round of the program told The Reporter they had been told they would each receive up to 200,000 birr.
However, an official at the Commission refuted the claim.
“This is false. We will be paying them but the amount will differ from one to the other. How much it will be is confidential,” said the official, speaking anonymously.
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