Ex-combatant Reintegration in Liberia

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Poverty; Social Instability
• Interventions: Other: Agricultural and life skills training program

• Registration Number: NCT01703936
• Lead Sponsor: Columbia University

Brief Summary

This project is an evaluation of an agricultural training and resettlement program for high-risk young adults in Liberia, especially poorly integrated male ex-combatants. The primary aim is to see to what extent an intensive economic and life skills intervention can rehabilitate high-risk individuals and reduce aggression and armed violence.

Detailed Description

Poor and unemployed youth are widely considered a threat to political stability, often blamed for everything from fights to crime, riots and revolutions. Ex-combatants cause special worry. Not only do they have professional experience in warfare, and hence some comparative advantage in violence, but their social networks may also be dense with potential recruiters. War may also have left them poorer or more traumatized than their peers. Each of these factors could elevate the risk of rebellion, crime, or other aggression, risks greatest in weak states and uncertain economic climates like that of Liberia.

In response, policymakers commonly turn to employment and other poverty alleviation programs, including cash grants, vocational training, small business development, and microfinance. Underlying these programs is the belief that with economic opportunities come stability. When dealing with organized populations, such as former combatants, gang members, or criminal organizations, policymakers are also anxious to break down risky social networks, especially the links between commanders and foot soldiers. Interventions often go beyond simple employment programs, and seek to relocate, resettle, or otherwise remove high-risk individuals from risky networks.

This project evaluates a rehabilitation program for ex-combatants and other high-risk youth in Liberia, a unique case where it was both politically and practically feasible to establish and follow a random control group. The program we study, which was designed and implemented by the international non-governmental organization (NGO) Action on Armed Violence, is among the best of its class. The program is targeted towards ex-combatants and other high-risk populations in resource enclaves and other "hotspots" around the country. It provides extensive agricultural skills training and inputs alongside life skills training and resettlement assistance. Its objective is to reduce the risk of violence and aggression by providing an alternative, stable livelihood in civilian communities to youth otherwise engaged in illicit activities or thought to be easily mobilized into crime or violence. After observing two highly promising courses and classes of graduates, the researchers collaborated with the NGO to randomly evaluate their next round of classes at two training sites.

The program implementers confirmed that the number of youth eligible for the program exceeded program capacity by a factor of at least two. The sample size was limited to 2.5 times the number of spots in the program, for a total of 1500. In order to give all eligible youth an equal opportunity to participate, the program implementers determined entry into the program using a computerized randomization of eligible youth. Respondents were assigned to treatment and control using a randomization program coded in Stata. The sample was stratified by gender, "commander status," and community of registration.

The study has two principal rounds of data collection among both treatment and control groups: a baseline prior to the intervention and a follow-up survey approximately one year following completion of the program.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2009-05
• Primary Completion: 2010-03
• Study Completion: 2011-07
• Status Verified: 2012-10
• Study First Submitted: 2012-10-08
• Study First Submitted QC: 2012-10-08
• Last Update Submitted: 2012-10-08
• Study First Posted: 2012-10-11
• Last Update Posted: 2012-10-11

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 1330

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

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Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
agricultural training program	Agricultural and life skills training program	Three to four month residential agriculture and life skills training program.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Potential for Social Instability	1 year after completion of program	This outcome includes engagement in illicit activities, ease of mobilization, political attitudes, violence and aggression, how settled they are, integration into mainstream society, and mental health symptoms.
Economic Stability	1 year after completion of program	This outcome includes employment and poverty level.
Preferences	1 year after completion of program	This outcome includes risk and time preferences.
Interest in Agriculture	1 year after completion of the program	This outcome measures level of interest in agriculture, attempts to engage in agriculture, perceptions of agriculture, and level of willingness to invest in agriculture.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Level of Social Support and Quality of Social Relations	1 year after completion of the study	The outcome includes aggregate level of social support, quality of relationship with family and elders, advising, and peer groups.
Aspirations and Future Planning	1 year after completion of the program	This outcome measures aspirations for the future and thinking about the future.
Empowerment	1 year after completion of the study	The outcome includes locus of control and making their own decisions.

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Tumutu Agricultural Training Program; 🇱🇷 Salala, Bong County, Liberia

Sinoe Agricultural Training Program; 🇱🇷 Panama, Sinoe County, Liberia