ABSTRACT
Central America, Haiti and Colombia are awash with millions of small arms and light weapons, the majority of which are not under government control. The weapons are military-style—including assault rifles, hand grenades, rocket launchers and mortars—originally designed for use by state-controlled armed forces. Black-market trade is enhanced by the globalisation of the economy, which makes it easier to ship goods of any kind. Recognising the need to provide employment for former soldiers, both Nicaragua and El Salvador, with the aid of the international community, established programmes to demobilise and reintegrate former combatants into their respective post-conflict societies. Similar efforts at lower levels have been made in Haiti, Guatemala and Honduras. In El Salvador the UN Development Programme has been instrumental in developing the education, training and overall development of the new police force, and a similar United Nations initiative exists in Haiti.
