Funding for services to help victims of paramilitary violence in the North lacks any long-term strategic plan, according to a report published today.
The Commissioner for Victims and Survivors, Bertha McDougall, warned that funding would be dramatically reduced by 2007 and that it was imperative to establish a service which was adequately funded and strategically planned.
In an interim report Mrs McDougall said there was poor co-ordination of services and although there were many pockets of good practice, they were not consistent across all areas of the North and not accessible to everyone.
"Emerging findings to date show a lack of strategic long-term planning to fund or provide adequate services," she said.
"The over-riding impression is that services for victims are policy-driven rather than focused on specific and changing needs," she said.
She said that since 1998 central government had provided £36.4 million (€53 million) in funds to victims and survivors while Europe had added another £7.6 million (€11 million).
"Much of this funding is coming to an end, and it is imperative that we establish a service that is adequately funded, resourced and strategically planned.
"Conservative estimates put the number of people directly affected by the Troubles at over 120,000. These people and their carers need to be provided for in a sustainable way.