Abstract

The aftermath of armed conflict and the breathing spaces between violent episodes such as riots leave affected communities in a state of confusion and disorder. It can be very difficult to know how to move on or even in which direction to go, especially for those recently returned from displacement, who are often struggling both materially and psychologically to survive. In such situations the habit of violence is not easily relinquished; once it has been integrated into everyday life it becomes part of the repertoire of how to achieve certain aims. At this point it is only too easy for violence to become a way of life in the post/intra-conflict setting too, at both community and domestic levels. The question then for development professionals is whether and how to intervene to support communities to address this.