Disarment, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR)

Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) - A process that contributes to security and stability in a post-conflict recovery context by removing weapons from the hands of combatants, taking the combatants out of military structures and helping them to integrate socially and economically into society by finding civilian livelihoods.

In countries emerging from conflict the presence of a large number of ex-combatants and those associated with fighting forces (such as wives, porters, cooks, sex slaves) poses a great threat to sustainable peace. Many of these people will have known no other way of life than war and violence. Their sense of identity is integrally linked with the armed structures they have been fighting with. Often ex-combatants lack the marketable skills, material assets and social networks required to find alternative livelihoods, and a return to war or a life of criminality and banditry offer the most viable way of life.

In an attempt to mitigate this threat, Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) programmes have become an integral component of peace agreements, implemented across the world from Liberia to Kosovo to Afghanistan. Despite their widespread use, their success has been limited. The consequences of inadequate DDR programmes can impact on the success of peace agreements, stability of states and regions, human development and on crime, security and human security in all contexts.

In recent years thinking on DDR has advanced. Where DDR was generally seen as an explicitly military process with a primary focus on short term stability and security, there is now a growing understanding that it is a process that has long term development implications and has to be sustainable. However there remain substantial challenges both at the policy level and in implementation on the ground.

Alert works to:

Enhance the design and implementation of DDR programmes at the country level through action orientated research, work with our partners and advocacy activities;
Explore how to achieve the end goal of DDR through alternative means including linking certain DDR activities to longer term development activities. This is because the sensitivity of the DDR ‘label’ often results in delays to programme implementation;
Use our knowledge and learning to inform and influence the DDR discourse at the global level through engagement with bilaterals and multilateral agencies;
Run high level Reintegration training courses for field practitioners to enhance and develop their practical knowledge and skills.