Support available for demobilisation

The United Nations and the international community are ready to help bring about lasting peace in Sierra Leone if the Lome talks succeed, according to UNOMSIL. At a meeting on 17 June at the United Nations in New York of the International Contact Group on Sierra Leone, Britain pledged US $10 million towards a Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) programme, UNOMSIL said in a statement. The World Bank pledged US $9.1 million at the meeting, which was convened by the United Kingdom. The DDR programme is designed to facilitate the reintegration of some 33,000 to 40,000 Sierra Leonean ex-combatants into civilian life. It is expected to cost between US $33 to US $45 million, according to UNOMSIL. The European Commission said at the meeting that a US $30-million rehabilitation and humanitarian aid package was being finalised for submission to member countries. The package would cover governance, health, roads and electricity programmes. It was agreed that Britain would convene another meeting after the signing of a peace agreement so as to further stimulate donor contributions to the peace process in Sierra Leone.