OCHA Situation Report No. 33
Liberia: IDP Return
20 September 2005


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

1. Status of Return
>From November 2004 as of 17 September 2005, a total of 216,098 IDPs 
have received their return assistance representing a total of 41,759 
families.

2. Field Movement

|------------------------------------+------------------------------------|
| Figures and Categories             | Type of Assistance                 |
|------------------------------------+------------------------------------|
| 43,426 Facilitated by IOM from the | These IDPs received transport      |
| 8 November 2004 through 17 March   | assistance from IOM to the transit |
| 2005                               | or distribution center closer to   |
|                                    | their area of return plus secondary|
|                                    | transport allowance, plus 2 months |
|                                    | initial WFP food rations and non   |
|                                    | food items                         |
|------------------------------------+------------------------------------|
| 45,279 Returned on their own and   | These IDPs received their return   |
| also linked to the International   | assistance, secondary transport    |
| Organization of Migration (IOM)    | allowance, food and non food items |
| facilitated IDPs movement above.   | through one member of the family   |
|                                    | while others traveled to their     |
|                                    | communities of return.             |
|------------------------------------+------------------------------------|
| 124,603 Accelerated movement phase | This category of IDPs received     |
| of the return beginning the 11 of  | their primary and secondary        |
| March 2005 through August 19 2005. | transport assistance along with the|
|                                    | two months food ration from WFP and|
|                                    | NFIs from UNHCR through the        |
|                                    | agencies implementing partners in  |
|                                    | the camp.                          |
|------------------------------------+------------------------------------|
| 15,500  Total Vulnerable IDPs moved| These vulnerable IDP groups were   |
| by IOM                             | transported to the nearest drop-off|
|                                    | point to their destination and     |
|                                    | provided with secondary            |
|                                    | transportation allowance, food and |
|                                    | non-food items.                    |
|------------------------------------+------------------------------------|
| 216,098 This figure represents IDPs| These IDPs have received all their |
| assisted to resettle to their      | return assistance from the         |
| respective communities.            | humanitarian community.            |
|------------------------------------+------------------------------------|


3. Food distribution and planned halt in Return Assistance distribution

Last week, WFP informed the IDP Unit that distribution of the regular 
monthly food rations for September and October will be distributed in 
September. This means that the IDPs in camps and spontaneous settlements 
will receive a two month food ration in September, covering October as 
well. To secure the IDPs with adequate food supply for the election 
period is the main reason for the rescheduling of the monthly food 
distribution. The field teams reported that the distribution of the two 
month food ration has already begun at Morris Farm, Soul Clinic, and 
VOA-1 IDP camps.

The LRRRC, UN Agencies, NRC, IOM, HCS/UNMIL and the other members of the 
IDP Consultative Forum decided to halt the distribution of return 
assistance from 5 to 19 October because of the elections. It is planned 
that distribution of return assistance will commence after the 
elections.

4. Information/sensitization of IDPs in Montserrado, Margibi and Bong 
Counties

This week, together with LRRRC, the IDP Unit field staff informed the 
IDPs of the rescheduled WFP monthly food distribution for September and 
October and the planned halt in the return assistance distribution, in 
Montserrado, Bong and Margibi Counties.

The IDPs expressed several concerns; they asked to be given the return 
assistance as soon as possible so that they can go back to their return 
areas. Additionally, the IDPs stated that they are afraid that after the 
election an ultimatum is going to be issued to them, forcing them to 
leave the camps. The IDPs also expressed that they are afraid that the 
UN is going to leave Liberia shortly after the elections in October.

Further, most of the IDPs pointed out that their shelters are leaking 
and are in poor condition due to heavy rainfall and that service 
providers are withdrawing from the camps. This has been confirmed by all 
the field teams and as reported before; the IDPs in camps need new 
plastic sheets urgently. It was also reported by the IDP Unit field 
teams that in several camps the IDPs have had to move into distribution 
and training centers as their huts are uninhabitable.

During this week, the IDP Unit field teams observed that representatives 
from UNMIL Electoral and the National Election Commission are in camps, 
informing IDPs of the elections.

5. The IDP Returnee Handbook

With funding from UNHCR, the IDP Returnee Handbook was printed last week 
and distribution began this week. The handbook contains useful 
information for the IDPs such as the contents of the Return Assistance 
Package, a Frequently Asked Questions section, a listing of National 
Holidays of Liberia, a calendar, a Map of Liberia and a summary of the 
Guiding Principles of Internal Displacement.

6. Movement in Bong and Margibi County IDP Camps (Central Region)

Distribution of return assistance in one IDP camp and two spontaneous 
settlements within Montserrado and Margibi Counties continued during the 
week. During the reporting period, NRC has begun and continues the 
payment of transportation allowance for return and GTZ has also begun 
distribution of NFIs in Newland IDP camp this week. Distribution of 
assistance packages to IDPs in Hutton Farm and Massaquoi have been 
carried out during the reporting period. As of 16 September 2005 the 
total caseload at Massaquoi is 1,014 IDPs representing 221 families. The 
total caseload within Hutton Farm IDP camp is 1,183 IDPs representing 
223 families that have received both their food and non-food items. Two 
cases of missing cards were reported by the IDPs in both Massaquoi and 
Hutton Farm camps.

These cases were investigated by LRRRC, WFP, UNHCR/IDP Unit, and camp 
leadership. They were found to be genuine and consequently those 
involved were given their resettlement cards and packages. There are 
therefore no cases of missing cards in either of the camps.

Several fraud WFP cards were exposed and confiscated during the 
distribution and several of the persons presenting the cards were 
apprehended.

7. Returnee/Protection Monitoring

Interview with Returned IDPs

The UNMIL Public Information Office and Talking Drum Studio accompanied 
by the IDP Unit interviewed two returnees residing in the Jorquelleh 
District within Bong County on 16 September 2005. The returnee's 
including a female and a male talked about their lives since returning 
from the IDP camps. Both are engaged in economic activities and reported 
being very happy at home.

During regular monitoring activities, the Margibi County field team 
received reports that 15 IDPs comprising of 4 families had their WFP 
cards taken from them by the camp leadership for periods ranging between 
12 and 15 months on the grounds that their huts were in poor condition. 
Throughout this period those involved did not receive their monthly food 
allocation and did not benefit from the return assistance that had been 
distributed. UNHCR/IDP Unit confronted the camp leadership, who admitted 
the allegation. They also admitted collecting the return packages that 
were to have been distributed to the rightful card owners. The packages 
and resettlement cards were retrieved from the camp leadership and 
returned to the owners. These cases were then reported to the LRRRC 
Margibi County Coordinator for further action.

8. Trucking of Vulnerable IDPs by IOM

During the reporting period, registration and trucking of vulnerable 
IDPs continued in Montserrado in Ricks, Seigbeh and Plumkor IDP camps by 
IOM.

As of 16 September 2005, IOM had registered a total of 25,781 vulnerable 
IDPs and transported 15,500 to their areas of return. IOM transportation 
of vulnerable IDPs and distribution of return assistance, will also be 
halted from 5 to 19 October 2005.

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