22 May 2011 - More than 1,000 ex-combatants will prepare to hand over their weapons during a disarmament campaign which launched today in Nyala, South Darfur. The event is organized by the North Sudan Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Committee, with logistical and technical support from UNICEF, UNDP and UNAMID.

The former fighters were members of Government armed forces and a number of rebel movements. Over the next two weeks they will undergo a security screening, medical examination, psychological assessment, DDR induction and receive a reinsertion allowance. UNAMID is providing HIV/AIDs awareness and counseling to the participants, who also take part in workshops on reintegration into civil society and receive occupational training.

Communication and Public Information Division Media Contacts
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Chris Cycmanick, Officer-in-Charge, Media Relations, cycmanick@un.org, mobile: +249 (0)91 253 8436