National demobilization and reintegration program in Ethiopia - program 2024 to 2027

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) aims to demobilize and reintegrate 371 971 ex-combatants (12% women) in their respective societies. This includes Afar Amhara Benishangul Gumuz Gambella Oromia Southwest Ethiopia (SWE) and Tigray regions in Ethiopia. UNDP seeks to establish institutional structures for demobilization and reintegration at the national regional and local level. The project aims to deliver gender-responsive mental health and psychosocial support and reintegration services and provide livelihood and employment options such as access to training and education programs microcredit and micro business start-up support and cash for work. UNDP seeks to provide psychosocial counselling and medical care to ex-combatants who are traumatized especially the disabled and those affected by sexual and gender-based violence and conflict-related sexual violence. It also aims to ensure the peace dividend is shared broadly across communities by facilitates peace and reconciliation dialogues rebuilds infrastructure brings back essential services and market mechanisms and strengthens the capacity of local institutions to foster social cohesion and peace.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) improved reintegration of diverse groups of ex-combatants from 8 regions into society in an inclusive and gender-sensitive manner; (2) strengthened community-based systems to effectively reintegrate diverse groups of ex-combatants into their respective communities; and (3) increased national regional and local institutions’ and service providers’ effectiveness and efficiency in leading gender-responsive and conflict-sensitive demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants.