Since April 2007, the UK's Conflict Prevention Pool (CPP) has been providing funding support through UNICEF and other local partners for the rehabilitation and re-integration of former child soldiers in Sri Lanka. Many children were conscripted into LTTE cadres during the conflict.
In Sri Lanka, UNICEF has worked with the government to create a centre for the rehabilitation of children leaving armed groups. Since the centre was established last year nearly 300 former child combatants have already been assisted. Children coming through the centre are provided with education, vocational training and psychosocial support.
Following the end of the conflict in May 2009, there has been a large increase in the number of children received at the rehabilitation centre. Many will stay for at least a year, to receive support and learn new skills before they are gradually re-integrated back into society.
What is the Conflict Prevention Pool?
The CPP is a joint initiative between DFID, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and the Ministry of Defence, providing a source of funding in many countries around the world to support the UK's aim of preventing conflict. In addition to rehabilitation of child combatants it also supports conflict prevention activities such as the 'Bring back the child' campaign illustrated here.