A/HRC/12/18 page 12 implementation strategy in June 2007 on the basis of national consultations. HRRLS UNIOSIL served as a member of the Task Force and also provided assistance in developing a project, requesting funding from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, which granted US$ 3.4 million in start-up funding for the reparations programme. UNIOSIL currently serves as a member of the National Steering Committee of the reparations programme, assisting its implementation. The Steering Committee has resolved to provide services to address the immediate needs of victims in the areas of health, education, psychological support and economic development. Some 12,500 beneficiaries have been registered to date and 16,500 beneficiaries are expected to register in total. 32. The Government of Uganda has been preparing a development package for northern Uganda. However, OHCHR Uganda has advocated for a more comprehensive reparations programme. In 2008, OHCHR Uganda began implementing the Reparations, Research and Capacity-Building Project in northern Uganda, in collaboration with the Uganda Human Rights Commission, conducting training sessions to build awareness on reparations. OHCHR Uganda simultaneously conducted research on the views of conflict-affected communities towards reparations, and presented its preliminary findings to civil society in northern Uganda at a major forum on transitional justice in February 2009. Based on this research, OHCHR Uganda plans to work with the Commission to issue a report with recommendations on a reparations policy to the Government in 2009. (b) Asia and the Pacific 33. The Government of Nepal has stated that a comprehensive reparations policy will be developed in conjunction with TRC. In the meantime, it has initiated several programmes designed to provide interim relief to victims of the conflict. The Ministry of Peace and Reconciliation has authorized the distribution of financial benefits to families of individuals who were killed or disappeared during the conflict as well as those internally displaced persons (IDPs) who wish to return to their home communities. OHCHR Nepal has made recommendations with regard to victim consultations, the categorization and identification of victims, and the benefits distribution process. The Government has also approved relief measures to victims or their immediate beneficiaries in the form of scholarships, medical treatment and compensation. The National Human Rights Commission has a mandate to investigate human rights violations and to recommend compensation measures from the Government. The Supreme Court of Nepal has also issued several decisions relevant to reparations, directing the Government to establish and implement a relief package for families of the disappeared and IDPs in 2007. 34. HRTJS UNMIT supports efforts to establish a reparations programme for victims in Timor-Leste and has recruited a consultant to support committee A of the National Parliament in drafting relevant legislation. (c) Latin America and the Caribbean 35. The Government of Colombia offers victims of the conflict two primary forms of reparations measures. Under the Justice and Peace Law, victims may submit a reparations claim against an ex-combatant who has completed the judicial process. Few reparations have been awarded under this process and benefits are limited to a narrow category of victims. Victims of