Reintegration of Ex-Combatants

After the end of armed conflict, the combatants were often considered as threats to community peace due to their involvement in wars and conflicts. They might be perceived as a security risk with the potential to take up arms again and use violence to achieve their goals.  Besides, the communities where they will have to settle also keep grievances and resentment against those combatants. This may make it difficult to forge reconciliation between the combatants of war (henceforward to be mentioned as former combatants) and the members of the community  The former combatants, when they come to settle down in the communities, will also stake claim on  available resources, raising the potentials for conflict and feelings of hostility between the two. Needless to say, adapting to life after the armed conflict is challenging both for the former combatants as well as the communities concerned. A study conducted by Pro Public in 2012 and 2013 showed that a number of former combatants felt uncomfortable when they came from the cantonments and settled in the communities. Most of them thought other community members looked down on them due to their past affiliation with rebel groups. Such feelings of alienation and mistrust can lead former combatants into isolation, away from community gatherings and engagements.


In this context, it was really important to build trust, communication, cooperation and coordination, and supporting community members and former combatants in sharing beliefs, norms and visions for living together. Safe spaces for sharing experiences, memories and visions can alleviate fear and trauma caused by war and can promote healing on an individual and community level. So, with the financial support from STPP/GIZ and technical support from inmdeio, Pro Public implemented intervened the activities from April 2013 to March 2014 in four communities (Piparapaschim of Saptari, Padampur/Jutpani of Chitwan, Uttarganga of Surkhet and Sandepani of Kailali).


After successful implementation of this project, with the financial support from National Peace Trust Fund (NPTF) Pro Public implemented project in next six communities (Triyuga/Udayapur, Gauribas/Mahottari, Parroha/Rupandehi, Bijauri/Dang, Gulariya/Bardiya and Binauna/Banke), from December 2013 to September 2014, that were selected based on the high presence of the ex-combatants. And, as continuation of the project Pro Public implemented it intended in 16 communities from 12 districts of Nepal from October 2015 to June 2017 with the financial assistance of USAID.

Major outcomes of the project include:

  • 110 Dialogue Facilitators (50% from ex-combatants) in 16 local government units (LGUs) across 12 districts received 20 days of training (basic, advanced, and refresher) in Dialogue Facilitation and Mediation.
  • 215 social dialogue groups formed involving 1720 members (50% ex-combatants) and convened 7 steps of dialogue fortnightly,
  • 13 peace libraries established and were visited by altogether 50 thousand community people;
  • Radio Jingles on dialogue, mediation, and psychosocial counseling aired by various local FM stations with hundred thousands of listeners that was listened by hundreds of thousands people;
  • 60 mass based peace events organized with participation of above 50000 people;
  • 16 Community envisioning organized and provided action plans to the concerned government agencies.