Ba c k t o Ci v ilian li v e s The rehabilitation of the discharged Maoist ex-combatants after their return to civilian life is a landmark achievement in Nepal’s peace process. The United Nations Interagency Rehabilitation Programme (UNIRP) is supporting the smooth socio-economic rehabilitation of a key group of ex-combatants, known as Verified Minors and Late Recruits (VMLR)—who were discharged in 2010, either because they are minors or because they were recruited after the signing of the Ceasefire agreement in 2006.
Of the total VMLRs, 30% were women and girls, and 74% were aged below 18 when the 2006 cease-fire agreement was signed. Furthermore, many of them came from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and lacked the necessary skills to make a successful transition from military to civilian life. Many also suffered psychosocial trauma from their wartime experiences. To help address their needs, UNIRP provided them with holistic support, including individual career counselling, psychosocial support, training and education, and health support.
By the end of 2012, 2,742 VMLRs (Female 940, Male 1802) had learned about the rehabilitation options that were available to them by contacting UNIRP’s toll-free number. Since first making contact with UNIRP, 93% of them received career counselling. Eighty-one per cent enrolled in one of the four available rehabilitation options (vocational skills training, micro-enterprise
Family of a VMLR after their rehabilitation
development, health-related training and education, and formal or informal education). Considering that 37.4 per cent (837) of the participants are women, UNIRP applied a gender-inclusive approach to provide specific support that included nutritional support for pregnant and lactating mothers, childcare centres, childcare grants and baby food, specialised career/psychosocial counselling sessions, and other gender-specific support services. To date, almost 80% of the 2,231 enrolled VMLR – 837 of whom were female combatants – have completed one of the rehabilitation options. Of the total graduates, 1,089 have started their own microenterprises or have found employment elsewhere. Many of the VMLR have returned home, determined to make a fresh start with their new skills and knowledge. The local communities played a significant role in helping ex-combatants make the successful transition to civilian life. To help create a welcoming environment for VMLR, UNIRP organized peace-building activities that engaged the whole community. Originally scheduled to end in January 2013, the programme has been extended until the end of July 2013 to allow more time for crucial follow-up support, such as business mentoring, counselling, micro-credit services and job searches.
Pa r t ne r s UN Peace Fund for Nepal, Government of Canada, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland and the United Kingdom
UND P-NEPAL ANNUA L R E PO R T 2 0 1 2
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