I was asked a few questions that I would like to address.
Are these reintegration clinics far away from where they are
abducted?
Unfortunetly yes, there are only two active
rehabilitation centers left in northern Uganda, the World Vision Reception Centre and the Gulu Support the Children
Organization or GUSCO. Which means, on average, there is one center every
16,484 square miles. Sadly Paddy Mugalula, the World
Vision’s program manager, announced the
possible closure of the World Vision Reception Center. Since 1994 these
two centers have helped reintegrate some 25,000 former militants
and abdicates. If the World Vision Reception centre closes 18 year old
males will have nowhere to turn for help with the reintegration back into
society, for the GUSCO only treats children and women.
How do these rehabilitation centers work towards making sure
this doesn't happen to the children again?
These two centers provide some of
the same critical services described in previous blog entries. They
treat mental trauma such as post-traumatic stress disorder,
depression and anxiety as well as physical trauma, wounds, amputations and
sexually transmitted diseases.
They also offer training as a means
to improve their community, which they were forced to ravage. The centers
have training programs in construction, tailoring, mechanics,
baking and small business skills. These people are also provided things to help
them through their day-to-day living such as farm implements, cooking
utensils, blankets and mattresses. They are also the first to contact
the community in which the former fighter will be returning to. At
which point they explain the situation, and extinguish any ill will
towards the actions taken by the abducted so that a seamless and
happy reunion can take place.
These things that the
centers provides are essential to making sure these newly
reintegrated former fighters don't return to the fight they risked their life's to
escape. The skilled training they received will provide food and housing, and
the rehabilitation both mentally and socially will
form a strong bond within the community. Love from the community and
the financial means to take care of themselves fend off the
need to return to the violence and pointless fight of the LRA.
"Humanitarian
News and Analysis." IRINnews. IRIN, 18 Jan. 2013. Web. 04 Aug.
2013. This is an article about the possible closure of one of the two
remaining rehabilitation centers in Northern Uganda due to budget
problems
"Northern
Region, Uganda." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 08 Mar.
2013. Web. 04 Aug. 2013.
An article with
the size of Uganda and population size per district.
That is wonderful to hear they have these centers but sad to hear they are so far away. I wish our military could step in and save these people from these horrible circumstances and take them to these centers to get the help they need... Great info!
ReplyDeleteHow many centers are there and are they able to send out search teams to take these people in for help?