A report by the North's interim victims' commissioner, which recommends new and co-ordinated financial aid for survivors, has been broadly welcomed. However a nationalist relatives group has criticised her call for a fund for relatives of UDR members killed during the Troubles.
Victims' commissioner Bertha McDougall highlighted fragmented funding and inaccessible support services for survivors of the Troubles.
Northern Secretary Peter Hain said her findings were excellent and fair. "Bertha McDougall has produced a thorough report which makes a number of recommendations to advance the needs of victims and survivors," he said.
However, Mark Thompson, spokesman for Relatives for Justice, accused Ms McDougall of "complete insensitivity towards those people who have been affected by state violence, particularly those people affected by the RIR and the UDR".
The group, which represents families of people killed by the security forces or loyalists, campaigned against Mr Hain's appointment of Ms McDougall, a police widow. The High Court subsequently ruled that the manner of her appointment was unlawful.
The commissioner's report, Victims and Survivors, Addressing the Human Legacy, was based on meetings Ms McDougall had with survivors.
Among others, it details the difficulties encountered by "Ann" whose husband was killed by a bomb on his way home from work in 1980.
"Ann" had to move house 18 times to find an area where she could safely bring up three children. Now, the family cannot afford to pay rent and has been unable to secure housing executive accommodation. Her children still suffer from trauma symptoms which stem from their father's death.
Northern politicians have empathised with the plight of victims as detailed in the report.
Alban Maginness, of the SDLP, said the recommended annual payment of £2,000 (€3,030) was not enough for people living in poverty. He called for the British government to add more money to the fund "to make a real difference".
"The SDLP has been approached by many victims who have received what can only be described as shameful and insulting compensation.
"This was particularly true of victims in the 1970s and 80s, many of whom are now old and living in poverty.
"In any decent society victims are treated with decency. That means better compensation, better treatment and a real acknowledgment of the pain and suffering they have gone through," he said.
Alliance leader David Ford said the report was long overdue. It illustrates the urgent need to address the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland, he said. He expressed his concern at the lack of funding available for victims.
Ms McDougall's term of office is over and the post for victims' commissioner is open. Victims groups have called for an appointee who is a victim with no links to government.