Liberia - OCHA-39: 10-Nov-05
OCHA Situation Report No. 39
Liberia: IDP Return
10 November 2005
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
1. Status of Return
>From November 2004 to date, a total of 230,555(1) IDPs have received
their return assistance representing a total of 44,401 families.
2. Field Movement
|----------------------------+----------------------------|
| Figures and Categories | Type of Assistance |
|----------------------------+----------------------------|
|43,426 Facilitated by IOM |These IDPs received |
|from the 8 |transport |
|November 2004 through 17 |assistance from IOM to the |
|March |transit or |
|2005 |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|These IDPs received their |
|and |return |
|also linked to the |assistance, secondary |
|International |transport |
|Organization of Migration |allowance, food and non food|
|(IOM) |items |
|facilitated IDPs movement |through one member of the |
|above. |family |
| |while others traveled to |
| |their |
| |communities of return. |
|----------------------------+----------------------------|
|141,850 Accelerated movement|This category of IDPs |
|phase of the return |received their |
|beginning the 11 |primary and secondary |
|of March 2005 through 21 |transport |
|October |assistance along with the |
|2005. |two months |
| |food ration from WFP and |
| |NFIs from |
| |UNHCR through the agencies |
| |implementing partners in the|
| |camp. |
|----------------------------+----------------------------|
|19,341 Total Vulnerable IDPs|These vulnerable IDPs were |
|moved |transported to the nearest |
|by IOM |drop-off |
| |point to their destination |
| |and provided |
| |with secondary |
| |transportation |
| |allowance, food and non-food|
| |items. |
|----------------------------+----------------------------|
|230,555 This figure |Total numbers of IDPs who |
|represents total |have |
|number of IDPs assisted to |received all their return |
|resettle to |assistance |
|their respective |from the humanitarian |
|communities. |community in |
| |Liberia. |
|----------------------------+----------------------------|
3. Movement in Montserrado, Margibi and Bong Counties IDP Camps
Distribution of return assistance is on going in several camps in
Montserrado, Bong and Margibi Counties. De-registration has been
completed in Browns and 15 Gate IDP camps as of the 29 October 2005 and
the distribution of return assistance is expected to commence on the 1st
of November 2005.
Salala IDP Camp
Regular monitoring activities were conducted in Salala camp during the
reporting period. Relative calm is prevailing in the camp, however, IDPs
have expressed strong desire to be repatriated.
Camp conditions
Lutheran World Service has completed 10 new toilets, which brings to 18,
the number of toilets currently being in use in the camp. With a
population of almost 24 000, 18 toilets are woefully inadequate. The
issue of leaking tarpaulins leading to break down of shelters continues
to be a serious problem in the camp. There is the need for immediate
intervention in these two areas in order to prevent outbreak of
diseases.
Reconciliation meeting
UNHCR Protection unit in collaboration with LRRRC organized and
monitored a reconciliation meeting between two IDPs at Salala camp on
October 25. This became necessary due a conflict between a male IDP and
an elderly IDP. The male IDP accused the elderly IDP of bewitching him,
which led to him being sick. The case dates back to 2002 and all
attempts by the camp leadership and community elders to solve the
problem have proved futile. The case came to the attention of protection
unit when the old man was arrested, jailed for four months and his
ration card taken from him earlier this year. Upon the intervention of
UNHCR, the man was released from jail; however, the conflict between the
two continued, hence the decision to convene the reconciliation meeting.
Several traditional leaders as well as LRRRC and camp management took
part in the meeting. After more than five hours of deliberation, it was
agreed by all present including the parties to the conflict that a
traditional ritual should be performed as a way of settling the case.
November 5, 2005 was set as the date for this ritual. It was also agreed
that the male IDP would be assisted by UNHCR to seek medical treatment
for his ailment. UNHCR has already contacted MSF who has agreed to treat
him.
Conneh Camp
Monitoring activities and follow up on protection cases identified by
NRC camp monitors were carried out in Conneh camp during the reporting
period. Relative calm is prevailing in the camp, however, home cases of
physical and domestic violence were reported. According to the camp
chairman, such cases are normally resolved by the camp leadership. UNMIL
GHANBATT comes on regular patrols in the day and sometimes in the night.
IDPs in Conneh camp interviewed reported of their frustration regarding
their continuous stay in the camp and they are appealing for
repatriation to begin soon in their camp.
Protection
According to the SC-UK monitors in the camp, there are about 10 UAMs
residing in the camp. These cases have been reported to SC-UK, head
office in Monrovia and a follow-up has been made on the children. There
has, however, not been any intervention yet. SC-UK, Monrovia will be
contacted to find out what interventions are planned for these children,
especially during repatriation from the camp.
Follow-ups were also made on protection issues identified by NRC camp
monitors. These include a case each of physical abuse, rape, and forced
marriage. We were, however, unable to meet the IDPs involved but were
able to get clarification from the monitors. The rape survivor for
example, has already been referred to SC-UK and she has received medical
treatment. These cases would be followed up during the next visit to the
camp.
Camp conditions
Conditions in Conneh camp are similar to that in Salala. There were
reports of broken down shelters resulting from leaking tarpaulins.
According to the camp chairman, 523 huts have so far broken down as a
direct result of leaking tarpaulins. All the toilets are filled up and
out of use, hence nearby bushes and creeks are used for that purpose.
Only two hand pumps are functioning and these two are not able to yield
much water. All these issues could affect the health and well-being of
the IDPs and therefore require urgent intervention. When contacted,
Liberian Red Cross Society, which is the WATSAN provider in the camp,
confirmed the problem with toilets and water. The WATSAN coordinator
also informed us that they have started constructing new toilets and
will be repairing the damaged water hand pumps.
Returnee/community monitoring
UNHCR Protection Unit and IDP Unit undertook several monitoring missions
to return areas during the week. The missions were to Zota, Kpai and
Kokoyah districts in Bong County. The objective of the missions were to
find out how returnee IDPs and refugees are doing and how the
communities as a whole are faring i.e., whether there are any protection
concerns. With the exception of Go Camp in the Kokoyah district where
there were reports of crime and violent behaviors, all the other
communities reported peace and calm. The number of returnees also
continues to increase in some of the communities as evidenced by the
increase in newly built shelters. Lack of amenities such as safe
drinking water, toilet facilities, shelter and lack of employment
avenues were some of the main problems recounted by those interviewed.
Protection Wilson Corner IDP Camp
In Wilson Corner IDP Camp the return assistance program has been
hampered by the stalling of the IOM registration of vulnerable. In June
this year and latest this week the LRRRC and the IDP Unit have had
meetings with the IDP Leaders in Wilson IDP camp, where the IDP leaders
were 'demanding' that the registration of vulnerable IDPs should be done
simultaneously with the distribution to the remaining non-vulnerable
IDPs and that they would not allow the IOM to continue registration. IOM
have several times returned to the camp and tried to finalize the
registration however this has so far been unsuccessful. Several times
over the last four to five months the LRRRC and the IDP Unit have
emphasized to the leaders that the registration of vulnerable IDPs by
IOM have to be finalized as it has been done in all the other IDP camps
(such as Ricks, Seigbeh, Sinje 3 Maimu 1, 2 and 3, and Tumutu) before
return assistance can be distributed to the remaining IDPs in the camp.
On Wednesday, 26 October, a team led by the LRRRC went to the camp and
met again with the IDPs and their leadership.
They have now agreed that IOM can go forward and complete the
registration of vulnerable IDPs. This process re-started on Thursday, 27
October and it is hoped that it will be completed without further
interruptions.
4. Trucking of Vulnerable IDPs by IOM
Registration for vulnerable IDPs for facilitated return with IOM is
ongoing in Blamasee and Plumkor IDP camps. There was no vulnerable
facilitated to return this week by IOM, the numbers therefore remains
the same as last week. However, IOM have registered a total of 26,452
vulnerable IDPs and transported 19,341 to their area of returns.
5. Protection Monitoring Lofa county
General protection/Food distribution
A meeting was convened on Wednesday 26 October 2005 at which time WFP
representative in Voinjama reported that in Voinjama 545 IDPs were
served with 2nd food tranche on Friday 21 October. The distribution
proceeded without any difficulties. The planned food distribution
scheduled for Voinjama is on Mondays and Fridays. Mondays will be
reserved for returnees while Fridays will be reserved for IDPs
returnees. The second food ration distribution Zorzor is scheduled for
Tuesdays and Wednesdays and in Salayea on Thursdays. On Friday 28
October IDPs from the camps of Tumutu, Mt Barclay and Maimu 3 will be
assisted in Voinjama. In Zorzor next week beneficiaries from Maimu 3
will receive food on Tuesday and beneficiaries from Maimu 1+2 will
receive on Wednesday. The Salayea distribution site will be serving IDPs
arriving from Maimu 3. The WFP representative also informed the IDP Unit
that the 2nd round of elections will not affect the planned
distribution- activities and that the road condition is getting better
which has improved the fast delivery of food at the distribution points.
Protection monitoring
During the reporting period the IDP unit has conducted monitoring in 10
communities in Voinjama district. The monitoring was conducted from 21
October through the 25. Some of the communities visited as a follow-up
on information provided by LRRRC that this area has been ignored by the
humanitarian community.
The prison project
The IDP Unit did a follow up on the project on Voinjama District Prison.
For the time being WFP, CIVPOL, UNMIL HCS, UNMIL Public Relation, UNHCR
IDP UNIT, PAK BATT, ICRC and IRC have a dialogue on the project. The IDP
Unit visited the prison with CIVPOL to monitor the rehabilitation
undertaken by PAK BATT. The kitchen is rehabilitated and functional. The
prisoners and guard participated in the restoration along with PAK BATT
to be able to conduct necessary future maintenance. For the time being
the prison is hosting 14 prisoners awaiting trial. Outside within the
prison area the inmates have begun farming to provide their own food
supply.
Sexual Gender Based Violence
As a follow-up on the crime-statistics for September the unit had a
meeting with LNP- Voinjama jointly with CIVPOL on 24 October. The points
of interest were one reported incident of criminal abortion and two
reported incidents of rape.
The LNP-Voinjama informed the IDP Unit that the suspect in the abortion
case is a pharmacist who conducted an operation on a pregnant woman to
abort a pregnany.The woman approached the pharmacist solely to get some
medication for her pain, and filed a complaint after the miscarriage.
She was taken to ICRC and IMC for treatment accordingly. Out of the two
rape cases appearing in the crime-statistic for September one was
committed in May but not formally reported to LNP before September. The
other was committed in September and the victim was a girl below the age
of 16. The indicted persons in both cases are in police custody awaiting
trial in a magisterial court. The Unit will follow-up on these two
cases.
6. Protection Tubmanburg
General situation
Conducted a mission to Monrovia, which included a two-day workshop
developing strategy and operational concepts for the Humanitarian
Coordination Section. National Election Commission is planning a
workshop 4-5 of November for Presiding Officers to be posted at polling
centers. The workshop is a TOT for the officers who are expected to
train newly recruited ted at the polling centers.
Statistics and registration
A total of 20,710 family heads, and 117,042 family size IDPs originating
from the Western Region (Bomi, Gbarpolo, Grand Cape Mount) have received
return packages as of 28 October 2005. This represents 93% of the total
IDPs originating from Western region having received return assistance.
Protection and durable solutions
Education: Environment Foundation For Africa has completed one of its
School construction/rehabilitation project in Wangekor Town, Grand Cape
Mount County. The project is expected to benefit community dwellers.
Health: AHA in collaboration with the County health Team of Gbarpolu
County has planned the third round of the National Immunization and
Polio Campaign on November 11, 2005.
The October 2005 scheduled ceremony for a 30 bedroom Annex at the Bopolu
Health Center is still pending. The issue was discussed during the
Gbarpolu County Coordination meeting on October 26. No immediate
solution was found -- the development will be closely monitored. The
monthly inter-agency SGBV taskforce coordination meeting took place at
the office of IRC -Tubmanburg. The meeting focused on the level of
achievement on cases that were reported/identified by agencies,
statistics on cases that were settled as well as those that are pending
in the court, police station and the hospital. Plans for the observance
of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence were as well
discussed.
On October 27, a meeting was held with WFP and AHA for the provision of
wet feeding services at UNHCR's sponsored clinics currently being
operated by AHA. It was discussed and agreed that the provision of such
services is likely to resume in mid November at which time an assessment
shall have been completed to ascertain the level of assistant needed.
UNHCR arrangement for the implementation of HIV/AIDS activities by Youth
for Environmental Services Inc. (YES) has been finalized. The
implementation is expected to kick off in November.
Watsan: 95% of the NRC watsan project for 2005 has been completed in the
three counties. Areas with no access to hand pumps are been prioritized
for the remainder of 2005.
Vulnerable: UNHCR reports that women groups within the area of return
have been having meetings in observance of the 16 days of activism
against gender based violence. They are being encouraged to take the
lead in observance of the activities that have been identified for the
16 days. Concerned Christian Community graduated 48 war-affected women
in various skills training. The skills training activities as discussed
in the SGBV taskforce meeting caters to all women regardless of they
being war effected or not.
NRC is currently undertaking a roofing project for vulnerable
individuals with specific emphasis on elderly persons without effective
support. As revealed by the County Officer in Grand Cape Mount County,
there are presently 40 shelters that have been roofed for 40
beneficiaries.
The Government Hospital in Tubmanburg, which is being operated by the
Pakistani, is presently assisting the blinds providing medical
attention. Several visits were made to the hospital by Protection unit
to follow-up regarding the members of the Liberian Christian Association
of the Blind in Tubmanburg.
HIV/AIDS: The distribution of condoms by UNHCR continues at spontaneous
returnees de-registration sites. The HIV/AIDS task Force initiated an
awareness campaign in Bomi County beginning October 24. The campaign was
spearheaded by YES Inc.
7. Humanitarian Coordination Section Workshop
A two days workshop was organized by the Humanitarian Coordination
Section of UNMIL. IDP Unit fully participated in this workshop.
Note:
(1) Owing to technical problems, figures will be updated soonest.
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