In Kazakhstan, supporting the return and reintegration of former terrorist fighters (FTFs) and people who may be associated with violent extremist groups (VEGs) poses serious challenges. 

UNDP Kazakhstan initiated its programme on Repatriation and Reintegration in 2018 to accompany family members of FTFs, including children taken to conflict zones in the Middle East (Syria and Iraq) and, sometimes, born there. With UNDP’s support, more than 600 family members of ISIL fighters were repatriated from Syria to Kazakhstan over the last three years, of which around 400 were children. To address the challenges of children speaking neither Kazakh or Russian, UNDP partnered with the national education sector, including the Ministry of Education, to re-socialise them. 

As mental health issues are prevalent in child returnees, UNDP Kazakhstan supported the provision of targeted MHPSS for children. In addition, UNDP funded 26 national NGOs working to equip women with the necessary labour skills for their financial independence and reintegration. Recognizing the value of an inclusive and holistic approach towards effective rehabilitation, reintegration, and re-socialization, UNDP engaged frontliners, social workers, and psychologists and assisted partner CSOs and national authorities (including correctional institutions) to jointly apply a development-based approach for the safe reintegration of returnees and their family. The MHPSS activities not only helped returnees recover from the trauma of being involved in or affiliated with VEGs, but also supported them in finding a renewed sense of purpose and a sense of belonging in their community.