World Bank to disburse aid to ex-combatants

The World Bank (WB) on Tuesday said a US $33 million grant promised earlier this year to assist demobilised soldiers in Angola would be disbursed towards the end of November. "There were a few difficulties in setting up the independent financial procurement unit but that has been sorted out now. We hope that by the end of November the funds would become available for projects to assist the demobilised soldiers," WB operations assistant, Lisa Maier, told IRIN. The financial unit is expected to manage the WB grant. Overall the funds are expected to bolster government efforts to rehabilitate thousands of former combatants, who were demobilised following the signing of the April 2002 ceasefire between former rebel group UNITA and the government. Maier noted that an estimated 121,000 ex-combatants would be targeted for assistance. "The grant is expected to focus on the economic and social reintegration of soldiers. There will be attention directed at agricultural assistance, which means that former combatants who express an interest in farming will be provided with seeds, tools, fertilisers and the necessary veterinary drugs," she said. The grant would also be directed at vocational training and promoting microcredit schemes for ex-soldiers and family members Women, children and the disabled would also receive special attention under the programme, Meier said Concerns have been raised by human rights groups that not enough was being done to assist some 90,000 ex-UNITA soldiers and their families as they prepare to return to their areas of origin.