Challenges in the aftermath of the cessation of
terrorist hostilities:
Rehabilitation of human resources
M.C. Mathupala
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. |