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Understanding the reintegration needs of former LRA abductees and LRA - affected communities

Experiences of children and adults who escaped and returned to civilian life in DRC and South Sudan

Through this collaboration with Conciliation Resources, Emilie examined the experiences of children and adults who have escaped from the Lord Resistance Army (LRA) as they try to reintegrate into civilian life in the DRC and South Sudan. "Back but not home: Supporting the reintegration of former LRA abductees into civilian life in South Sudan and the Congo"  analyses the community dynamics that affect reintegration positively and negatively and assesses the effectiveness of past and current initiatives to ease this process. It forms part of a wider research project that also seeks to address shortfalls in the understanding of and responses to the protection of civilians.

The report proposes concrete ways to enhance current efforts. We argue that an approach to reintegration is needed that has the following core characteristics:
— Driven by strong local leadership
— Community-based and culture-specific
— Long-term, holistic support

The analysis was used to produce a policy brief "Safe paths home: Protecting civilians and supporting reintegration in LRA affected communities" that integrated the psychological and anthropological findings to the security and Peacebuilding findings of the research project.   

 

Get in touch to explore how Manas could help informing strategic thinking around policies and programming. 

“[A vicious circle ensues] The more LRA returnees’ behaviour appears unusual and out of place, the more communities marginalise them, and the harder it is to receive the emotional support they need.”

Understanding the reintegration needs of former LRA abductees and LRA - affected communities

Experiences of children and adults who escaped and returned to civilian life in DRC and South Sudan

“[A vicious circle ensues] The more LRA returnees’ behaviour appears unusual and out of place, the more communities marginalise them, and the harder it is to receive the emotional support they need.”

Through this collaboration with Conciliation Resources, Emilie examined the experiences of children and adults who have escaped from the Lord Resistance Army (LRA) as they try to reintegrate into civilian life in the DRC and South Sudan. "Back but not home: Supporting the reintegration of former LRA abductees into civilian life in South Sudan and the Congo"  analyses the community dynamics that affect reintegration positively and negatively and assesses the effectiveness of past and current initiatives to ease this process. It forms part of a wider research project that also seeks to address shortfalls in the understanding of and responses to the protection of civilians.

The report proposes concrete ways to enhance current efforts. We argue that an approach to reintegration is needed that has the following core characteristics:
— Driven by strong local leadership
— Community-based and culture-specific
— Long-term, holistic support

The analysis was used to produce a policy brief "Safe paths home: Protecting civilians and supporting reintegration in LRA affected communities" that integrated the psychological and anthropological findings to the security and Peacebuilding findings of the research project.   

 

Get in touch to explore how Manas could help informing strategic thinking around policies and programming.