IOM teams are continuing to provide support to an on-going Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) programme for former combatants in Eastern Sudan. Thousands of former fighters are currently assembled in three camps located in Girba and Kassala, Kassala State and in Karsogo, Port Sudan State, where they are being registered by IOM and its partners. The programme, which is funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and carried out in close coordination with the National Commission on DDR, has over the past month registered a total of 1,332 former combatants, including 284 elderly and 153 disabled. A further 224 minors have been registered by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Prior to the registration process, IOM constructed and equipped registration offices in all three camps and provided medical screening to former combatants. HIV counselling was provided by the National Commission on DDR. Each registered ex-combatant has received a one-time cash grant of USD 250 and clothing from the National Commission as early reinsertion support.  As part of the process, PACT Sudan, a partner NGO is currently carrying out a survey with IOM and UNDP support to evaluate the medium- to long-term needs of former combatants and their families, to help them reintegrate in the States of Gedaref, Red Sea and Kassala. Former combatants from the Eastern Sudan Front began laying down their arms following the signing in October 2006 of the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement. The agreement, between members of the Eastern Front and the Government of National Unity, put an end to years of skirmishes. IOM is currently carrying out DDR programmes in several parts of the world, including Afghanistan, Angola, Colombia and Indonesia. For more information, please contact: Simona Opitz IOM Khartoum Tel: + 249 (0) 9123 39700 E-mail: "mailto:sopitz@iom.int" target="_blank" title= "">sopitz@iom.int