Nat'l Rehabilitation Commission Preparing Communication Strategy to Ensure Successful DDR

Addis Ababa, December 1 /2023 (ENA)- The National Rehabilitation Commission is preparing a Communication Strategy with the target of creating awareness among all stakeholders to realize the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) program. 

Stressing the need for the contribution of all stakeholders for the success of the process, National Rehabilitation Commissioner Teshome Toga said there is a need to have a clear and engaging communication strategy.

Having clear communication is instrumental to mobilize all the stakeholders and ensure successful Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration program, he stressed.

The commission has made plenty of engagements so far with stakeholders, including government and private institutions, civil society organizations as well as UN country teams, among others, according to the commissioner. 

The aim of the discussion with stakeholders on the draft strategy is to integrate valuable feedback into the strategy after the intensive discussion. 

Elaborating on the main reason for preparing the communication strategy, Teshome said the DDR program needs the participation of multi-stakeholders and actors. 

And in order to ensure successful DDR activity, communication is crucial, he noted.  

The goal of the discussion is to incorporate important feedback from various stakeholders and institutions, the commissioner stated, adding that the communication strategy is not a goal by itself but a tool to achieve the main goal of the commission. 

Recall that the Government of Ethiopia embarked on the process of demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants at the national level as part of the Pretoria Peace Agreement.

The National Rehabilitation Commission was established in December 2022 to carry out the National Demobilization and Reintegration Program (NDRP).