National Rehabilitation Commissioner Mr Temesgen Tilahun said: "The NRC is grateful to the people and government of the Republic of Korea for the swift and timely response to our support request for the DDR program. We believe that this initial grant will be strengthened further, showcasing the long-standing people-to-people relations between our two brotherly nations. We once again call upon friends and partners of Ethiopia to strengthen support for our peace-building initiatives through the DDR program, which is now the largest in the world. " 

The DDR programme helps ex-combatants to transition to civilian life formally, thus promoting stability and peace in the country. The Humanitarian Assistance Funding from the Republic of Korea will go towards a financial package provided to the ex-combatants as they leave the demobilisation camps and return to their homes to reintegrate into society.

UN Resident Coordinator for Ethiopia, Dr Ramiz Alakbarov heads one of the largest UN country teams in the world. He said: “The UN’s engagement in the DDR demonstrates our commitment to helping people and communities transition from an emergency and a crisis to one focused on sustainable development. We are committed to a harmonised approach within the UN, and with our partners to humanitarian-development-peace nexus.”

Once the ex-combatants are back in their communities, the DDR programme will follow up with them to facilitate access to livelihood opportunities for those who cannot return to their previous employment. Psychosocial services will also be provided to help with conflict trauma. This approach helps to ensure that the ex-combatants are not a burden on already vulnerable communities trying to rebuild following the devastation to infrastructure, lives, and livelihoods during the conflict.