Supporting Communities Affected by Violence

"More than 15,000 people have been killed and 500,000 displaced during years of low-intensity civil war in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal. This book describes the work of the Programme for Survivors of Violence (PSV), which (with the support of Oxfam) helps communities to grapple with the complex social, economic, political, and psychological problems posed by the conflict. A framework to guide interventions in polarised communities is outlined, with a detailed description of its application to work with young people (especially the male members of gangs and paramilitary units), children, women, and local leaders. The final chapter summarises the principles which inform the work of the PSV, and identifies the fundamental elements that have contributed to its sustained success. The book is written for community leaders in any society damaged by civil conflict; for development agencies which support such communities; and for students and teachers of community-development theory and practice. Its theoretical framework may be applied usefully in a broad range of situations."--Back cover.