Reintegration of former combatants to commence in Tigray region tomorrow

Addis Ababa, November 20, 2024 (FBC) – The National Rehabilitation Commission of Ethiopia (NRC) has announced that the reintegration of former combatants in the Tigray region will commence tomorrow, November 21, 2024.

In a media briefing, Chief Commissioner Temesgen Tilahun revealed that the Commission has developed programs and projects to achieve its national mission and meet international standards.

He further stated that the process of disarming and reintegrating over 371,000 former combatants from seven regions across Ethiopia has been completed.

The Commissioner also disclosed that over 760 million USD has been allocated for the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) of former combatants within a two-year timeframe.

He explained that the funds have been received from the federal government and donors for the first round of the DDR program implementation. Participants of the DDR program will undergo a 6-day process at rehabilitation centers, which includes digital registration and verification, psycho-social and civic rehabilitation training.

Upon their return to the community, beneficiaries of the DDR program will receive a reintegration allowance to ensure they do not have to struggle for basic necessities.

In that regard, the first phase of the reintegration of 75,000 former combatants in the Tigray region will officially begin tomorrow, the Commissioner said.

The National Rehabilitation Commission is a federal institution established by Cabinet Regulation No. 525/2015 and amended Regulation No. 415/2016 to demobilize and rehabilitate former combatants who disarm under the Pretoria Peace Agreement signed between the Federal government and TPLF on November 2, 2022. The Commission directly reports to the Ministry of Defense and has a board appointed by the Prime Minister of Ethiopia and overseen by the Prime Minister.