MDRP - Multi-Country Demobilization & Reintegration Program

MDRP also supports special projects, which are approved and implemented according to local needs and in close consultation with national authorities. Eligible implementing partners include UN agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and government authorities.

Special projects are generally smaller in scale, and are used to:

Address specific, urgent issues while a national program is being developed - MDRP may assist in projects aiming to assist certain groups with unique needs, such as child soldiers, or women associated with armed groups. Ex-combatants may need to be repatriated to their country of origin.
Provide assistance in parts of a country that are outside of government control - In some cases, MDRP may need to engage in D&R-related efforts in territories that are within the political borders of the national government, but beyond its effective control.

This is in particular the case in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. In line with the Lusaka Agreement, emergency community-based reintegration activities are needed for groups that are not signatories of the Agreement. The demobilization and reintegration of child soldiers in these areas are a particular priority. All care is taken that efforts do not have a negative impact on the Inter-Congolese Dialogue process. All UN agencies and NGOs able to operate in these areas beyond state control have been encouraged to develop and execute relevant activities within the framework of the MDRP.

Currently, some 10 MDRP Special Projects are under implementation and two have been completed. As a government develops its own capacity to implement a national program, these special projects are integrated into the national program framework.