In pictures: Recovering in Sierra Leone

six-year-old girl [Picture by Nick Danziger/IOM 2009]

This six-year-old is one of the thousands of people still suffering from Sierra Leone's civil war. Her mother was abducted by rebels, used for sex and to carry weapons. She cannot afford to send her daughter to school.

Memunatu who sustained shrapnel wounds in her back during the war [Picture by Nick Danziger/IOM 2009]

The decade-long civil war ended seven years ago. Since then, donors have given generously to ex-combatants through programmes to end the war. But for the victims of those fighters, it has been very different.

Hacking off limbs became the rebels' trademark terror tactic. Adamsay's hands were chopped off, as were those of her sister Mariatu and her brother Mohammed.

amputee [Picture by Nick Danziger/IOM 2009]

Rebels captured Sallay. Now she lives in a camp for amputees with only her daughter to care for her. Her son-in-law abandoned her daughter, complaining Sallay received more attention than he did.

civilian war victims at the National Stadium in Freetown, coming to collect their cash reparations [Picture by Nick Danziger/IOM 2009]

A programme to identify war victims did begin this year and has registered 28,000 applications. A first payment of about $100 of micro-credit or educational support has been made to 20,000 people.

Ibrahim at school [Picture by Nick Danziger/IOM 2009]

Ibrahim's family were locked inside their home, which was then set ablaze. He saw everything. A grant enabled Ibrahim to return to school this year. He wants to go to university and become an accountant.

women waiting to collect their cash reparations [Picture by Nick Danziger/IOM 2009]

A conference is being held in London to help raise funds for the victims of the violence.

This war orphan has not received formal help yet. He is one of many who are looked after by a priest. The house he lives in is crammed with other orphans. The younger children sleep four to a bed.

war widow [Picture by Nick Danziger/IOM 2009]

This war widow used the money she received to buy farming tools, seeds and fertiliser. She now makes a living growing rice in this swampy area. [Pictures by Nick Danziger/International Organization for Migration]