Liberia - OCHA: 12-Aug-05
OCHA Situation Report - Update 26
Liberia: IDP Return
12 August 2005
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
1. Status of Return
As of the 28 July 2005, a total of 194,790 IDPs have received return
assistance from the humanitarian community, representing 37,769
families. Please find the various categories detailed below.
2. Field Movement
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| Figures and Categories | Type of Assistance |
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|43,426 Facilitated by IOM |These IDPs received transport assistance |
|from the 8 November 2004 |from IOM to the transit or distribution |
|through 17 March 2005 |center closer to their area of return plus |
| |secondary transport allowance, plus 2 months|
| |initial WFP food rations and non food items |
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|45,279 Spontaneously |These IDPs received their return assistance,|
|returned to their county/ |secondary transport allowance, food and non |
|district of return |food items through one member of the family |
| |while others traveled to their communities |
| |of return. |
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|106,085 Accelerated movement|This category of IDPs received their primary|
|phase of the return |and secondary transport assistance along |
|beginning the 11 of March |with the two months food ration from WFP and|
|2005 through 15 July 2005 |NFIs fromUNHCR through the agencies |
| |implementing partners in the camp. |
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|6,747 Total Vulnerable IDPs |These vulnerable IDP groups were transported|
|moved by IOM |to the nearest drop-off point to their |
| |destination and provided with secondary |
| |transportation allowance, food and non-food |
| |items. |
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|194,790 This figure |These IDPs have received all their return |
|represents IDPs assisted to |assistance from the humanitarian community. |
|resettle to their respective| |
|communities. | |
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3. Movement in Montserrado County IDP Camps
Distribution of return assistance is ongoing in Mt. Barclay Camp. As of
28 July 2005, out of the targeted caseload of 10,566 IDPs, WFP in
partnership with Lutheran World Service has provided return assistance
to a total population of 10,477 who have bonafide resettlement cards
while a total number of 9,750 IDPs have been served their first two
months food ration. UNHCR in collaboration with GTZ has provided
assistance to a population of 10,507 IDPs with NFIs representing a total
of 2,162 families. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has provided
assistance to a population of 8,825 IDPs with transportation allowance
representing 1,742 families. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has
begum the payment of transportation allowance backlog in Sargbeh and
Perry IDP camps.
4. Movement in Bong County IDP Camps
De-registration and distribution of return assistance continued during
the period under review at Maimu I for the remaining caseload of 8, 718
IDPs most of whom are destined for Voinjama, Kolahun, and Foyah
districts in Lofa County. Out of this figure, 6,708 IDPs representing
1,249 families have been de-registered. As of 28 July 2005 a population
of 3,944 representing 812 families had received their food items, 3,666
IDPs representing 702 families have received Non Food Items and 6,000
IDPs representing 1,133 households have received their transportation
allowance. On behalf of UNHCR, NRC continues to provide transportation
allowances to qualified beneficiaries. De-registration and distribution
of return assistance continues in the camp. The situation in the camp is
calm and no security/protection issues have been reported during the
reporting period.
5. Trucking of Vulnerable IDPs
During the reporting period, registration and trucking of vulnerable
IDPs continue in Montserrado and Bong Camps by the Internationa l
Organization of Migration (IOM). As of the July 2005, IOM has registered
a total of 18,673 IDPs and transported 6,747 vulnerable IDPs to their
areas of return. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) will
resume the trucking of vulnerable IDPs on the 2 August 2005.
6. IDP Returnees Monitoring (Bong County)
A two person team from the IDP Unit together with LRRRC undertook a
mission to Jorquelleh district in Bong County on the 25 July 2005 to
monitor those IDPs who have already returned home. This is the second
monitoring mission in the district. The team met with many of the
returned IDPs whom they interviewed. The general impression was that the
returnees are very happy to be back home and are coexisting peacefully
with their neighbors and are doing their best to rebuild their lives
after a long period of displacement. Some of the returning IDPs were
originally from other counties, particularly from Lofa but decided to
settled in Bong Counties whereas others were originally from the same
area they are currently settled. Family situation differs. Even though
all those interviewed have children, some are married whereas others are
single. Some of the returnees are living in their own houses whereas
others are living in rented houses. Despite the diverse background, one
theme that runs through our interaction with them is that they are happy
to be home after several years of displacement. The main concern
reported was lack of social amenities including health, water, and lack
of employment opportunities, individual shelter and sanitation
facilities.
(Please find attached a full report on IDP Returnee Monitoring, Bong
County on the 25 July 2005.)
7. IDP Returnees Monitoring (Bomi County)
So far, according to WFP deregistration repatriation records, a total of
17,252 IDPs representing 98,240 families have received their return
package as of the 28 July 2005. The majority of return has been to Bomi
County with 72,319 families facilitated to return. The total IDP
caseload according to UNHCR figure is 213,266 IDPs for the three
counties of Bomi, Gbarpolo and Grand Cape Mount. Access to communities
and road conditions are closely monitored and the Pakistani Military
contingent is performing ongoing repairs and improvements on the roads
linking the various returns communities to the provincial city of
Tubmanburg. The general weather conditions pose a challenge to these
efforts, and the access in some is severely hampered.
8. Protection/ Security and SGBV (Bomi County)
Many protection issues in return areas are linked to capacity building
of the Liberian National Police (law and order) on the one hand and the
community services and income -- generation on the other. The IDP return
distribution process is accelerating and expected returns of IDPs will
increase as the date for the election is coming closer. This will
constitute a challenge to law and order in the western region. The
superintendent of Bomi County has reported an increase in criminal
behavior especially during the night -- time. The Liberian National
Police has limited resources to respond to criminal related activities.
This trend is likely to increase with the expected influx of returning
IDPs and the upcoming elections. In addition, the lack of LNP capacity
and resources affects critical response to SBVG cases, property disputes
and the general condition of life.
9. Coordination in Bomi County
The IDP Unit Protection Officer in Bomi County had a meeting with an NGO
liaison and agreed on developing a framework for an Information
Awareness Project... The IDP Unit Protection Officer had also conducted
an initial meeting with NRC on the same issue linked to NRC Database on
returnees profiling.
10. Hut demolition
During the period under review, hut demolition exercise continues in
Maimu II. Demolition is ongoing in Mt. Barclay camp and as of the 28
July 2005, a total of 1,432 huts have been demolished. Thus far,
cumulatively, about 26,700 huts have been demolished, out of the
estimated initial 64,000 huts in camps and spontaneous settlements.
IDP Unit
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Appropriate Donations for International Disaster/Humanitarian Needs
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