Challenges in the aftermath of the cessation of terrorist hostilities:

Rehabilitation of human resources

M.C. Mathupala

A large number of people who suffered due to LTTE terrorism are now in rehabilitation camps, hospitals, temporary shelters and centres run by social service organizations. They can be broadly categorized as follows:

* Disabled staff of the forces presently in rehabilitation centres

* Any excess staff of the forces who wish to retire and start productive civilian lives

* Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in the camps in the north and the east

* Dependants of personnel from the Forces who wish to commence income generating projects and/or who wish to improve their existing lifestyles

They have to be assisted to get back to normal, productive life so that they can contribute to their own future well-being as well as the progress of the nation. Already, many professionals are helping them through trauma counselling and arranging for resettlement in their original homes. Yet, there is much more to be done to get these people back to the normal stream of life. This article focuses on some of the efforts that can to be taken to assist them to enhance their potential as a valuable human resource.

They are from both sides of the struggle. But they are our people -our own brothers and sisters and children who will take over from us in the near future. They have faced enough misery and are crying for a chance to live as normal human beings again. To initiate, design and implement effective rehabilitation programs we have to undertake a series of activities that will lead them to suitable civilian career paths in relation to their qualifications. These programs have to be implemented immediately in an intensive manner.

Institutions like the IPM (Institute of Personnel Management) engaged in human resource development activities have to assist in this process by conducting a needs survey using a participatory approach. For this purpose a series of visits to a sample of the rehabilitation camps and IDPs will be essential. These visits can be used to meet a representative stratified sample of the target population to ascertain their development needs and prepare suitable awareness programs with them. This should consist of active, in-situ, learning projects rather than academic exercises based on structured questionnaires.

The results of these surveys need to be discussed to arrange the relevant logistics. (This activity can be short-circuited by involving such senior personnel to collaborate in the participatory projects).

Their comments and views will help to fine tune the programs and to arrange for the required logistics. They have to be focused on developing a mindset that will motivate the beneficiaries to return to and establish themselves in the normal economic and social life patterns (while resettlement programs are taking place as expeditiously as possible through the establishment of the infrastructure facilities). Collaboration with the relevant State departments and professional institutions conducting similar activities in the relevant areas should be secured.

Even though some of those affected may be of old age and disabled, most of them can engage themselves in economic activities.

Banks and other institutions have already launched schemes to help them by providing facilities such as supply of planting materials, fertilizer and loans at concession rates.

They have to be made aware of such schemes by supplementing educational programs to intensify the extension efforts of those organizations.

These activities have to be supplemented by providing consultancy services to those who set up businesses/income generating projects during the initial -start up - stages to overcome any difficulties they may encounter.

This will be in the form of 'holding the hand' as most of them may not have any experience in income generation projects. Later these activities can be entrusted to the Project Officers of the banks.

Perhaps some of these activities are already being undertaken in some of the relevant areas. The Institute of Personnel Management can supplement them and contribute to their success in appropriate ways.

The most crucial, important and urgent requirement will be the selection of a team of dedicated facilitators capable of interacting with the IDPs in their own languages, in the places where they are living.

This team has to be properly briefed and oriented to carry the same message to the beneficiaries.

The team should consist of men and women who can effectively interact with the IDPs and the relevant officers currently directing operations in the areas and develop suitable collaborative, cooperative and result-oriented programs to fulfill the rehabilitation needs identified.