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New UN project aims to stem proliferation of small arms in Africa's Great Lakes region

New UN project aims to stem proliferation of small arms in Africa's Great Lakes region

A new project aimed at stemming the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the Great Lakes Region of Africa was launched today by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), that agency announced.

A new project aimed at stemming the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the Great Lakes Region of Africa was launched today by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), that agency announced.

UNDP's initiative comes in response to a dramatic increase in the availability, accumulation and uncontrolled proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the Great Lakes - a trend which has given rise to numerous humanitarian, developmental and security challenges in the region.

The agency's Nairobi-based Small Arms Proliferation Project is designed to motivate groups to surrender arms in exchange for support in successfully reintegrating into society, while fostering a climate in which life as a civilian is considered a more attractive and viable alternative to that of a rebel.