Liberia - OCHA-29: 24-Aug-05
OCHA Situation Report Update 29
Liberia: IDP Return
24 August 2005
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
1. Status of Return
As of the 19 August 2005, a total of 207,308 IDPs have received return
assistance from the humanitarian community, representing 40,052
families. Please find the various categories detailed below.
2. Various Categories of Field Movement
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|Figures and Categories | Type of Assistance |
|-----------------------+-------------------------------------------------|
|43,426 Facilitated by |These IDPs received transport assistance from IOM|
|IOM from the 8 November|to the transit or |
|2004 through 17 March |distribution center closer to their area of |
|2005 |return plus a secondary transport allowance from |
| |UNHCR. They also received 2 months initial WFP |
| |food rations and non food items from UNHCR. |
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| | |
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| | |
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| | |
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| | |
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| | |
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|45,279 Returned on |These IDPs received their return assistance, |
|their own and also |secondary transport allowance, food and non food |
|linked to the |items through one member of the family while |
|International |others traveled to their communities of return. |
|Organization of |These items were donated by the agencies |
|Migration (IOM) |highlighted above. |
|facilitated IDPs | |
|movement above. | |
|-----------------------+-------------------------------------------------|
|118,603 Accelerated |This category of IDPs received their primary and |
|movement phase of the |secondary transport assistance along with the two|
|return beginning the 11|months food ration from WFP and NFIs from UNHCR |
|of March 2005 through |through the agencies implementing partners in the|
|August 19 2005. |camp. |
|-----------------------+-------------------------------------------------|
|9,589 Total Vulnerable |These vulnerable IDP groups were transported to |
|IDPs moved by IOM |the nearest drop-off point to their destination |
| |and provided with secondary transportation |
| |allowance, food and non-food items. |
|-----------------------+-------------------------------------------------|
|207,308 This figure |These IDPs have received all their return |
|represents IDPs |assistance from the humanitarian community. |
|assisted to resettle to| |
|their respective | |
|communities. | |
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3. Movement in Montserrado County IDP Camps
Distribution of backlog cases especially in the form of transport
allowance in Mt. Barclay, Perrytown and Jahtondo continued during this
reporting period. The IDP Unit also visited Mt. Barclay and witnessed
the fact that nearly 90% percent of the total population of the camp had
vacated after receiving their return assistance.
4. Camps and Spontaneous Settlements -- Protection
Nearly 208,000 IDPs have received return assistance so far. It has been
observed that an increasing number of shelters in the remaining formal
IDP camps and spontaneous settlements within Montserrado County have
been severely damaged by the ferocity of this years rainy season. An
initial assessment report from NRC indicates that more than four
thousand huts have been affected. The IDP Unit is appealing to the
humanitarian community in Liberia to provide temporary shelter materials
for the effected IDP population. Thus far there has been little response
by way of contributing such material.
In the camps where distribution has not yet started, there are only
several camp management teams remaining. The reason given is primarily
due to lack of funding. This is due to the lack of funding for Camp
Management activities for NGOs, both international and national.
However, the situation is somewhat alleviated by the presence of NRC
monitors present in some of the formal camps and spontaneous
settlements. The NRC project is funded throughout the year.
All of the spontaneous settlements and camps in Liberia have water hand
pumps. There are schools present in eight of the remaining camps but
only in three of the spontaneous settlements. There are observations and
reports that all the camps and spontaneous settlements have insufficient
latrine facilities, NGOs and service providers have informed IDP
monitors that this is mainly due to lack of funding.
5. Movement in Bong County IDP Camps
Maimu I
Distribution of transportation grant to the remaining caseload in Maimu
I was resumed on 17th August 2005. Distribution of food and NFIs was
completed since August 10, 2005. A total of 395 IDPs representing 84
families received their transportation grant by the close of day on
August 17th. Except for 25 IDPs representing 5 families whose names
could not be found on the revised log, all the remaining eligible IDPs
in Maimu I have now received their complete return package. This brings
to a total of 21,231 IDPs who have received their return package in
Maimu I. Most of these IDPs have already left the camp and many more
continue to leave daily.
IOM Movement
After suspending her activities in Bong County for four weeks, IOM
resumed the transportation of vulnerable IDPs on August 18, 2005. The
first convoy made up of 250 vulnerable IDPs and their families left
Maimu I on August 19 2005 destined for Zorzor and Voinjaman in Lofa
County. This brings the total number of vulnerable IDPs and their
families transported by IOM since the process began in Bong County in
April, 2005 to a total of 6,403. A second which is also the last convoy
carrying registered vulnerable IDPS and their families in Bong County is
planned for departure from Maimu I on August 21 2005.
Hut Demolition
Owing to the delay in payment of transportation grant, not many IDPs
were able to leave the camp during the past week; hence not many huts
were demolished during the reporting period. Accurate figures are
difficult to obtain, however, it is estimated that close to 2,000 huts
in Maimu I are now demolished.
Protection Issues
Security
On the whole, the security situation in Maimu I is calm and IDPs
reported being safe and secure. Nevertheless, few case of burglary has
been reported. A woman was stabbed on the hand during one of these
burglaries. The injury was small and she has since departed the camp for
her home. No one was apprehended for the crime.
Unaccompanied Elderly
Two unaccompanied elderly (1 woman and 1 man) living in Maimu I who did
not have WFP cards hence were not eligible for return assistance were
transported by IOM to destinations in Lofa. A report was earlier made on
these vulnerable IDPs who were alone in the camps without any form of
support. After thorough investigations in the camp, IDPs who hailed from
the same area as the unaccompanied vulnerables and knew their families
were identified. These IDPs agreed to take care of the UAEs during the
journey and deliver them to their relatives. There remains one UAE in
the camp who claims he does not have any relative and was not able to
tell us where he originally came from. His case is still being
investigated.
Salala IDP Camp
Rape case
Follow up was made on a case reported last week in which a 22 year old
woman was raped in Salala on August 8 2005. The survivor was visited on
August 16 and considering the circumstances, she seems to be doing well
and have started normal activities. She has been undergoing medical
treatment at MSF clinic but has not yet received any psychosocial
assistance. Counseling has been scheduled for her at ARC. We were also
informed that the case was withdrawn from the police for home settlement
hence the alleged perpetrator was released from police custody.
Camp conditions
Residents of Salala IDP camp are anxiously waiting for the commencement
of the repatriation process in their camp. Conditions in the camp are
fast deteriorating with many of the shelters leaking and many toilets
overfilled. Only 45 toilets out of the original 108 toilets are in use.
It is therefore recommended that plans be made for the commencement of
repatriation as soon as possible. In the absence of such a plan, service
providers will be encouraged to provide plastic sheeting to those whose
shelters are leaking and sanitary conditions be improved in the camp so
as to prevent the outbreak of diseases.
Second Trench Food Distribution
Distribution of second trench food for qualified IDPs in Bong County was
carried out by WFP through their implementing drivers during the period
under review. Distribution was made at Gbarnga Transit Center from the
16-18 August. A total of 1 837 former IDPs received representing 333
families received their second trench food at Gbarnga. .
Road assessment mission
The team from IDP Unit went on a joint mission with WFP on 19 August
2005 to assess the state of the Totota -- Sanoyea road. Due to the poor
state of this road, WFP could not transport food items for second trench
distribution to returnee IDPs and refugee in Sanoyea district. It has
been reported that some rehabilitation work has been done lately. The
purpose of the mission is therefore to find out whether the road is
accessible for WFP to transport food items. According to the findings of
the team, two bridges need to be rehabilitated before the road can be
accessible to WFP trucks. This was brought to the attention of the chief
of the area who promised to mobilize his people to rehabilitate the
bridges on August 22.
6. Trucking of Vulnerable IDPs
During the reporting period, registration and trucking of vulnerable
IDPs continued in Montserrado and Bong Camps by the International
Organization of Migration (IOM). As of 19 August 2005, IOM has
registered a total of 23,273 IDPs and transported 9,781 vulnerable IDPs
to their areas of return.
7. IDP Returnees Monitoring (Lofa County)
The Unit conducted monitoring in three communities south of Voinjama, in
Voinjama District. Although there are returned IDPs in some of these
villages, the majority of the villages visited in the period are
mandingo-returnees from the camps in Guinea. In Bakiedou town and
Jarmulor town where the team visited, the major concern in the
communities is a lack of potable water. These are communities of about
5,500 and 2,000 inhabitants, and have only one working water-pump. The
lack of a local health facilities and schools was raised as serious
problems in both Jarmulor town and in the village of Womanon. During
this monitoring session the Unit's attention was drawn to the difficult
situation single-mothers and disabled person may face in the return
environment, particularly in Bakiedou, the Unit was informed that many
mothers are now alone because their husbands were killed during the war.
As in other communities, the Unit discovered that cases of domestic
violence are dealt with locally and traditionally rather than taken to
the authorities. The communities, however, report the absence of the
LNP, while in both Bakiedou and Jarmulor, CIVPOL is patrolling the
surrounding area. Whether or not the LNP is riding within CIVPOL
vehicles is yet to be determined.
The Unit has drafted a monitoring plan for the months of August and
September. According to the plan, two monitoring missions will be
conducted each week. Since the Districts of Foya, Kolahun and Vahun are
inaccessible by car, the Unit will focus on the Districts of Voinjama,
Zorzor and Salayea. These districts have also so far received the
largest number of returning IDPs. So far the Unit has conducted
monitoring in 15 communities in the Districts of Voinjama (10), Zorzor
(4) and Kolahun (1).
8. IDP Returnees Monitoring (Bomi, Gbrapolu, Grand Cape Mount Counties)
According to IOM/UNHCR and WFP de-registration of IDPs, a total of
17,696 family heads representing 100,644 families and 18,025 family
heads representing 102,456 families originating from the Western Region
(Bomi, Gbarpolo, Grand Cape Mount) have received their return packages
as of 16 August 2005. This represents 86% of the total IDPs having
received return assistance. This represents an increase of 329 family
heads and 1,812 families since the last reporting period.
The following crime statistics were reported by LNP, Tubmanburg; 11
simple assaults, 2 robberies, 1 disorderly conduct, 4 reports of
property theft, and 4 reports of suspected robbery a total of 24 cases
overall. 5 cases have been sent to court and 17 cases have been solved
and 2 cases have been transferred to MO Central Headquarters. These
statistics are so far only available from LNP Tubmanburg. As noted in
last week situation report, the Superintendent reported an increase in
crime. This is not reflected in the number of crimes reported by LNP to
UNHCR. LNP has serious capacity limitations and this affects their
ability to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
Bamballa Health Clinic was visited and at present AHA (UNHCR IP) has not
commenced with the rehabilitation of the health clinic. During a fact
finding mission 4 weeks ago, African Humanitarian Action (AHA) reported
that they would commence work within a week. There is to be a follow up
with AHA in the coming week.
9. Protection/ Security and SGBV (Lofa County)
A team from UNHCR IDP Unit conducted protection monitoring within
several villages south of Voinjama, in the Voinjama District. The first
town visited was Bakiedou. The town has about 5,558 inhabitants half of
what it was before the war. The majority of the inhabitants visited were
returning refugees but there were some IDPs among them. The town has a
functioning clinic but there is a shortage of medicine. The town has
about 8 water pumps, half of which are functioning properly. There are a
total of 74 latrines within the town courtesy of Peace Winds Japan
(PWJ). Currently, there is only 1 functioning school built by PWJ and
has 411 students enrolled. The village has a Women Council consisting of
54 members. They deal mainly with the issue of single mothers who lost
their husbands during the war and have to provide for their children. A
mechanism helping these single mothers, however, is absent within the
town. The chief of the village did not report any incidents of crime.
The chief stated that criminal activity within the village would be
dealt with in the traditional council or the Peace Council. UNMIL's
CIVPOL patrol's the town on a regular basis as do immigration
authorities.
The remaining villages visited including Jarmulor and Womanon are quite
similar as neither of them have clinics or schools. Jarmulor and Womanon
both have only one functioning water pump which is insufficient
considering their populations, and the increase in arrival of former
refugees and IDPs. Both towns deal with criminal activity through their
own traditional Peace Council. These towns are both very vulnerable as
CIVPOL occasionally patrols Jarmulor, but there have been no reports
that CIVPOL, or any other law enforcement body for that matter, have
been patrolling Womanon.
10. Hut demolition
During the period under review, hut demolition figures were not
reported. It is believed, however, that very few huts were demolished in
the reporting period as the backlog in transportation allowance prevents
people from leaving the camps. So far, about 29,812 huts have been
demolished, out of the initial 64,000 huts in camps and spontaneous
settlements.
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