Concord Times (Freetown)
Umaru Jah
25 November 2008
The 10-year civil war in Sierra Leone has not only left the country's infrastructure completely devastated and its economy paralyzed, but has also succeeded in inflicting pain and sufferings on the masses. The rebel insurgent amputated hands and feet, handicapping war victims, many of whom can now only make a living by begging on the street under the hot-burning sun.
After a thorough examination of the plight of these victims, the Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) came up with recommendations, which if properly implemented, would help improve their conditions. The recommendations among other things called for reparations to be made to war victims and the setting up of a War Victim's Fund.
The government of Sierra Leone delegated responsibility to the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) to implement the programme. Since the establishment of a directorate office within NaCSA to carry out the implementation of the TRC recommendations, several criticisms from different quarters have been levied against the commission for 'the slow pace' at which the programme is being implemented. In fact, it was only recently that the National Steering Committee of the Peace Building Fund (PBF) approved US$3 million to support the reparation programme.
What is not clear to many, including the war victims, is who is going to benefit from this lump sum and how soon will the beneficiaries start to claim their benefits? Other organizations have also been questioning why the victims who suffered the brunt of the war are not treated with utmost concern.
"Perpetrators of violence in the civil war are still better off than their victims in Sierra Leone," Anne Jung, who works in the public relations office of the German aid organization, Medico International, noted. Medico International is an advocacy organization for war victims in Sierra Leone.
"There is little support for the victims. Some of them have even claimed to be ex-combatants in an attempt to, for example, get a place on a training scheme," Anne Jung explained.
An outreach coordinator from NaCSA's directorate of reparation, Ibrahim Satti Kamara, had this to say: "Implementing a reparations program requires planning and resources. Most importantly, it also requires the political will. The TRC report was published in 2004 and up to the time the present government assumed office in 2007 little or nothing has been done to start the program. So it was like starting from scratch. The government has succeeded in securing funds and setting up a directorate for the programme. A lot of planning and preparatory work has been done and soon the full implementation will commence."
He mentioned the US$3 million from PBF, which he said has not yet been remitted into NaCSA's account for eligible victims to start claiming their benefits. "This is a one year catalytic fund to which the government of Sierra Leone will make an additional US$246,000 contribution to kick-start the reparations programme."
The TRC recommended the following categories of victims to be eligible for benefits: amputees, severely war wounded, and victims of sexual violence, war widows and children.
Due to limitations of funds for this first year, Kamara said the categories of victims that will benefit for now are amputees, severely war wounded, victims of sexual violence, and children. "However, as funds are available in subsequent years, the program will be expanded to benefit more categories and increase on the services provided to reflect the TRC recommendations," he disclosed.
He condemned accusations regarding the snail pace at which the programme was going, noting that its success depends upon the degree of planning and the availability of resources.
"It is important for all to be mindful of the fact that the implementation of the reparations program is a process that requires thorough planning and substantial resources. The government cannot just wake up one morning and say we are going to start implementing the program today. The victims have to be identified and registered; the structures have to be put in place to ensure that the program is accessible to all eligible victims; a determination has to be made as to who is eligible for benefit and the type of benefits they are going to get," he affirmed.
In a telephone interview, the chairman of the Lumpa Amputee Camp, Waterloo, Shekubah Kuyateh, accused the government for treating the reparation programme with levity but expediting the reintegrating of ex-combatants who were empowered through various skills training programmes to enhance their livelihood after the war.
"We have not received any help from the government since we heard about reparation. Even the houses we are living in were constructed by the Norwegian Refugee Council," he disclosed and added that amputees across the country were constantly faced with numerous problems ranging from relocation of victims, food and money to pay their children's school fees.
Kuyateh expressed hope that the $3million budget to kick-start the reparation process will be used judiciously for its intended purposes.
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It will. You can take that to the bank. What do you expect from the soupist occupiers?
Cheers.
It will. You can take that to the bank. What do you expect from the soupist occupiers?
Cheers.
Let us hope that distribution does NOT fall into the hands of the Accountant General and the Ministry of Finance. If it does there will be more GHOST victims paid than real ones