OCHA Situation Report Update 43
Liberia
29 November 2005


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

1. Status of Return
>From November 2004 to date, a total of 247,852 IDPs have received 
their return assistance representing a total of 47,542 families.

2. Field Movement

|------------------------+----------------------------------------|
| Figures and Categories |           Type of Assistance           |
|------------------------+----------------------------------------|
|43,426 Facilitated by   |These IDPs received transport assistance|
|IOM from the 8 November |from IOM to the transit or distribution |
|2004 through 17 March   |center closer to their area of return   |
|2005                    |plus secondary transport allowance, and |
|                        |a 2 months initial WFP food rations and |
|                        |UNHCR provided non food items           |
|------------------------+----------------------------------------|
|45,279 Returned on their|These IDPs received their return        |
|own and also linked to  |assistance, secondary transport         |
|the International       |allowance, food and non food items      |
|Organization of         |through one member of the family while  |
|Migration (IOM)         |others traveled ahead to their          |
|facilitated IDPs        |communities of return.                  |
|movement above.         |                                        |
|------------------------+----------------------------------------|
|159,147 Accelerated     |This category of IDPs received their    |
|movement phase of the   |primary and secondary transport         |
|return beginning the 11 |assistance along with the two months    |
|of March 2005 through 26|food ration from WFP and NFIs from UNHCR|
|November 2005.          |through the agencies implementing       |
|                        |partners in the camp.                   |
|------------------------+----------------------------------------|
|20,982  Total Vulnerable|These vulnerable IDP groups were        |
|IDPs moved by IOM       |transported to the nearest drop-off     |
|                        |point to their destination and provided |
|                        |with secondary transportation allowance,|
|                        |food and non-food items.                |
|------------------------+----------------------------------------|
|247,852 This figure     |This is the cumulative total of all IDPs|
|represents IDPs assisted|who have received their return          |
|to resettle to their    |assistance from the humanitarian        |
|respective communities. |community.                              |
|------------------------+----------------------------------------|


3. Movement in Montserrado, Bong and Margibi County IDP Camps

Issuance of resettlement cards has been completed at the Catholic 
Compound IDP Camp. IDPs are now waiting for the distribution of food, 
NFIs and travel allowances in order to start leaving for their areas of 
return. Distribution of resettlement cards has also recommenced in Soul 
Clinic IDP Camp after it was stopped due to "security reasons." Camp 
leadership, CIVPOL, LNP and LRRRC have organized regular patrols of the 
area so that security breaches are no longer an issue, and for the 
distribution of resettlement assistance. Distribution of return 
assistance (transport allowance and NFIs) continued during the reporting 
period and expected to be completed by the end of this week (Week Number 
43).

After several weeks of dispute with the landlord, 42 IDPs in Sinje III 
IDP Camp have negotiated to stay on the land after the entire 
resettlement process is complete.

As of the 25th of November, distribution of resettlement packages for 
qualified IDPs has been completed in 16 official camps and spontaneous 
settlements. Distribution is currently going on in Brown's Town, 15th 
Gate, Ricks, Plumkor, Blamacee and Seigbeh IDP camps.

4. Distribution of Second Food Ration

On 25 November, IDP Unit Protection monitored the 2nd food ration 
distribution at the UNCHR Transit Centre in Voinjama. Earlier this week, 
LRRRC confirmed that there were approximately 1,000 returning refugees 
and 500 returning IDPs that were going to receive their 2nd food ration.

The team arrived in the morning and observed that the verification of 
beneficiaries was ongoing although the distribution of food did not 
start until 10.30. When the team returned in the afternoon they were 
informed by the WFP Implementing Partner UMCOR, that several men 
threatened and stole food from an IDP outside the transit centre. The 
case was immediately reported to LNP and CIVPOL and the 5 men involved 
were apprehended and detained at Voinjama Police station. Upon the 
suggestion from UMCOR, the team went to Voinjama Police Station and 
talked to the victim and the Deputy Station Commander, who confirmed the 
information. The team also suggested to the Deputy Station Commander 
that one or two LNP Officers should be present outside the UNHCR Transit 
Centre on Mondays and Fridays in order to monitor the loading of food 
into private vehicles. The Deputy Commander supported this suggestion 
and confirmed that he would send two officers, beginning on Monday.

5. Facilitated Movement of Vulnerable IDPs by IOM

During the reporting period, registration and movement of vulnerable 
IDPs continued in Montserrado Camps by the International Organization of 
Migration (IOM). As of 25 November 2005, IOM had registered a total of 
28,030 vulnerable IDPs and transported 20,982 to their areas of return. 
Registration of vulnerables in Salala is ongoing.

6. General Situation -- Western Region

The overall situation in the Western Region is defined by the election 
results that were released this week. There are some disgruntled people, 
but the majority is relieved because of the absence of violence during 
the election period, and the announcement of the results. The prevalent 
mood seems to be that of pride and surprise, mixed with expectations of 
progress and betterment of basic living conditions.

Statistics and Registration

A total of 21,185 family heads, and 119,862 family size IDPs originating 
from the Western Region (Bomi, Gbarpolo, Grand Cape Mount) have received 
return packages as of 22 November 2005 (source IDP Unit). This 
represents 93% of the total IDPs originating from Western region who 
have received return assistance and represents an increase of 475 f/h 
and 2,820 f/s since the last reporting period.

Protection and Durable Solutions

Protection community workshops were held in all three counties during 
the week. The topic was the rule of law in the Liberian context. Judges 
and Police Commanders gave lectures on the Liberian court and judicial 
system, and the law enforcement structure and its mandates and 
authorities.

The fact remains that communities, and local employees hired by NGOs 
lack a basic understanding of the law (international and domestic) and 
do not know how to employ the law and the judicial process in their 
daily work. The participants indicated that there is a need to expand on 
this type of workshop and make them specific to procedures and judicial 
process. Many of the magistrates' courts and Justice of Peace are trying 
cases outside their competent jurisdiction, in contradiction with 
judicial process in Liberia. It was also stated that police and judges 
charges fees to handle cases and to resolve disputes. This is 
undermining the credibility of the judicial and police. However, the 
judges and police also highlighted the fact that most government 
employees have not received salaries for months or any kind of support 
except for what the UN system has provided directly.

7. Protection, Lofa County

As a follow-up on the information regarding the 3 minors held in 
detention at the Voinjama prison mentioned in an earlier situation 
report, the unit had a brief meeting with UNMIL Human Rights. The unit 
was informed that the minors are no longer detained. They were released 
following a court order by the Magistrate in Voinjama, after the issue 
had been addressed by UNMIL Human Right.

8. Hut Demolition and Clean-up

During the reporting period, a total of 1,821 huts were demolished and 
cleaned-up. Since the commencement of IDP movement in November 2004, a 
total number of 38,895 or 60.7% of some 64,000 shelters / huts in 22 
formal camps and 13 spontaneous settlements have been demolished and 
cleaned-up.

9. Interagency IDD Mission from Geneva

An IDD Mission from Geneva visited Liberia from the 20th to the 25th of 
November 2005. The team comprised of OCHA New York, OXFAM Great Britain, 
UNICEF Geneva, UNDP Geneva and IDD Geneva representatives. The Mission's 
main focus was to present and discuss the proposed new "cluster 
approach" to the Liberian authorities and the humanitarian community. 
While in Monrovia, the Mission met with the Humanitarian and Relief 
Coordinator - the new D-SRSG and heads of UN agencies and NGOs.

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