OCHA Situation Report No. 40
Liberia: IDP Return
11 November 2005


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

1. Status of Return
> From November 2004 to date, a total of 232,574 IDPs have received 
their return assistance representing a total of 44,819 families.

2. Field Movement

|------------------------+------------------------|
| Figures and Categories |   Type of Assistance   |
|------------------------+------------------------|
|43,426 Facilitated by   |These IDPs received     |
|IOM from the 8 November |transport               |
|2004 through 17 March   |assistance from IOM to  |
|2005                    |the transit 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|These IDPs received     |
|own and also linked to  |their return assistance,|
|the International       |secondary transport     |
|Organization of         |allowance, food and non |
|Migration (IOM)         |food items through one  |
|facilitated IDPs        |member of the family    |
|movement above.         |while others traveled to|
|                        |their communities of    |
|                        |return.                 |
|------------------------+------------------------|
|143,869 Accelerated     |This category of IDPs   |
|movement phase of the   |received their primary  |
|return beginning the 11 |and secondary transport |
|of March 2005 through 21|assistance along with   |
|October 2005.           |the two months food     |
|                        |ration from  WFP and    |
|                        |NFIs from UNHCR through |
|                        |the agencies            |
|                        |implementing partners in|
|                        |the camp.               |
|------------------------+------------------------|
|20,292 Total Vulnerable |These vulnerable IDPs   |
|IDPs moved by IOM       |were                    |
|                        |transported to the      |
|                        |nearest drop-off point  |
|                        |to their destination and|
|                        |provided with secondary |
|                        |transportation          |
|                        |allowance, food  and    |
|                        |non-food items.         |
|------------------------+------------------------|
|232,574 This figure     |Total numbers of IDPs   |
|represents total number |who have received all   |
|of IDPs assisted to     |their return assistance |
|resettle to their       |from the humanitarian   |
|respective 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 has commenced in 15 gate IDP camp and will continues during the 
coming week. Distribution of return assistance is on-going in several other 
camps in Montserrado and Margibi camps.

4. Trucking of Vulnerable IDPs by IOM

Registration for vulnerable IDPs is on-going in Montserrado and Bong IDPs camps 
respectively. During the reporting period, IOM have registered a total of 
26,452 vulnerable IDPs and transported 20,292 to their area of returns.

Salala IDP Camp-Bong County

Regular monitoring activities were conducted in Salala camp during the 
reporting period. Not much has changed in camp conditions since the last 
report. The issue of leaking tarpaulins leading to break down of shelters as 
well as poor sanitary conditions continues to be serious problems in the camp. 
There is the need for immediate intervention in these two areas in order to 
prevent outbreak of diseases.

Several security related cases were reported to have taken place during the 
past week. These include three cases of arson and several cases of theft. In 
one case, a 15-year-old boy was suspected of trying to set fire to two huts. 
The boy escaped from the camp but his parents acknowledged the act, apologized 
to the victims and promised to pay for the re-roofing of the huts, which were 
destroyed. No one was arrested for the third arson case. Cases of domestic 
violence were also said to be on the increase but these are mostly settled by 
camp leadership.

MSF Vaccination Salala Camp

MSF undertook a mass tetanus vaccination exercise for women aged between 12 and 
49 years in the Salala IDP camp during the week under review. Sanitary 
conditions have slightly improved since the last report. Liberian Red Cross 
Society who is the WATSAN provider has completed four toilets with six cubicles 
each during the past week. The water and shelter situation, however, remains 
the same.

Protection Issues

An alleged rape case in Conneh IDP camp was reported to UNHCR/IDP Unit on 
November 1, 2005. According to the report, a 17 years old boy raped an 11 year 
old girl. The incident took place about two weeks earlier but only came to the 
attention of the camp leadership and LRRRC on 30 October. The case was reported 
to SC-UK who is the child protection agency responsible for the camp. The girl 
was taken to the clinic where she was given medical treatment. She also 
received psychosocial support from SC-UK social worker based in the camp. She 
is reportedly doing well. The alleged perpetrator who is said to be related to 
the survivor has since escaped from the camp. The case has not yet been 
reported to the police as the girls mother has traveled out of the camp. The 
LRRRC coordinator at the camp promised to follow up the case for possible 
prosecution if the parents of the girl so desires.

Second Food ration Distribution

Distribution of second food ration to former IDPs in Bong County was carried 
out by WFP through their implementing partners on November 1 & 2nd 2005 at 
Sanoyea Town, Sanoyea District. Due to the poor condition of the road, WFP has 
not been able to carry out any distribution in the district until now. One 
hundred and ninety- eight (198) former IDPs representing 34 families received 
their second food package.

Returnee/community monitoring

UNHCR/IDP Unit undertook a returnee monitoring mission on November 1st 2005 to 
two communities, namely Kpotoloma Town and Gbonokalai in Sanoyea district, Bong 
County. These are areas of high IDP returns. For example more than 90% of the 
845 inhabitants of Kpotoloma are said to be returnees from E. J.Yancy IDP camp. 
The objective of the mission was to find out how returnee IDPs and refugees are 
coping and how the communities as a whole are faring i.e., whether there are 
any protection concerns. The communities were said to be calm and no 
security/protection concerns were reported. 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.

5. Protection Report- Montserrado Wilson Corner IDP Camp

Protection monitoring

On 30 October 2005, The IDP Unit visited two camps in Montserrado: Soul Clinic 
IDP Camp with some 15,500 registered IDPs and Morris Farm Spontaneous 
Settlement with some 4,000 registered IDPs.

Soul Clinic IDP Camp

IOM registration has been finalized in the camp and the day of monitoring the 
IOM team was there to medically screen 171 vulnerable IDPs that have opted to 
return assisted by IOM. The IOM representatives informed the protection officer 
that the vulnerable IDPs in the camp registered by IOM were lactating mothers 
and unaccompanied elders and that no Unaccompanied Minors (UAM) had registered. 
The IDP Unit also had a meeting with the IDP Leader in the Camp regarding the 
security situation. The IDP Leader stated that everything was calm and no 
incidents had happened recently.

Morris Farm Spontaneous Settlement IDP Camp

The IDP Unit observed that distribution of return assistance was ongoing in the 
camp; that most of the IDPs have received their two month food ration and 
transport allowance, however, only 1/3 of the IDPs had received the non food 
items. There was no security incident reported during the reporting period. The 
Unit also observed that the camp was female dominated and that most of the male 
partners had gone ahead to prepared shelters and land.

6. Protection Report- Tubmanburg

General Situation

The week was defined by the expectations of the upcoming re-run between the two 
candidates in contention. Security forces report that no violence is expected. 
Rallies are held without any major reports of violence or disturbance. The 
Special Representative of the Secretary General visited Sinje on Monday 31 
October and received a briefing from UNMIL and UNHCR. The SRSG highlighted the 
importance of the upcoming re-run elections and stated further that the 
"Liberians are voting with their feet" referring to the large influx of 
spontaneous returnees from Sierra Leone and the large number of returning 
former IDPs to the Western Region. During return monitoring of vulnerable IDPs 
transported by IOM a majority of the IDPs, there were reports that people 
registered as IDPs return from communities to the IDP camps to receive 
assistance and are then traveling back to their dwellings. It is difficult to 
estimate any exact number of these cases without conducting a survey, 
monitoring during extended periods of IDP camps or some other type of 
registering taking place. On 1st November-05 it was gathered from the 
Pakistanian Battalion military during the regular briefing that on October 29th 
that a grand father allegedly stabbed his nine-year-old girl named Massa to 
death. The incident occurred in Loah Town, Garwula District, and Grand Cape 
Mount County. Parties involved in the act including witnesses and the principal 
offender were arrested and are presently undergoing police investigations at 
the Liberia National Police Suboffice in Sinje Town. Movements from Sierra 
Leone and Guinea are being monitored and random checking of vehicles is being 
conducted by Liberia National Police, Customs and Immigration Officers. The 
measures are aimed at preventing illegal entries to curb the trafficking and 
transportation of contraband goods into Liberia.

Statistics and Registration (incomplete due to lack of data)

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 November 2005 (source IDP Unit). This represents 93% of the 
total IDPs originating from Western region that have received their complete 
return assistance.

Proteciton and Durable Soluttions

The Sectoral Protection meeting for Bomi County was held on October 31 in the 
UNHCR FO conference room. Issues pertaining to protection were raised and 
participants tried to define a way forward. The major issues raised concerned 
the prolonged pre-trial period, child labor/abuse, physical assault, forced 
prostitution, children living in precarious conditions in the orphanages 
located in the county. On November 3rd, Foundation for International Dignity 
organized a Human Rights awareness program that included a parade on the main 
street of Tubmanburg. Later, an indoor program was conducted at FIND field 
office; speeches from various stakeholders were delivered. It has been noticed 
that there continue to be detention without due process of law of individuals 
in police cells in various locations. In view of these human rights 
contraventions, the UNMIL Human Rights section along with other stakeholders 
has initiated the establishment of a Protection Core Group to look at this and 
other protection concerns that may arise in the western region of Liberia.

It was also gathered that the living conditions in many areas of return in this 
district are not always satisfactory as basic community infrastructure and 
services are not available. According to the District Commissioner in Porkpa, 
poor road condition, insufficient number of schools and clinics are the most 
important issues that need to be addressed so as to improve the ongoing 
reintegration process. Moreover, the District Commissioner pointed out that 
cross-border movements between Liberia and Sierra Leone are very frequent along 
the Mano River, the natural boundary between the two countries. The main 
motivation for these movements seems to be related to the exploitation of gold 
and diamond in that area. It was also gathered that people living along the 
Mano River (Gola and Mende) have very close links. Many Protection stakeholders 
are concerned that those border movements are not monitored. The District 
Commissioner mentioned that many government officials (immigrations, customs, 
etc) who were supposed to be on the ground are staying in Monrovia where they 
receive their salaries. It appears that most of them do not hail from the 
district.

Food Security

Liberia National Police Commander in Damballa provided information that crop 
production is severely disturbed by marauding elephants and bush-cows. People 
are hesitant to invest work and money for agro-production while this problem 
persists. The problem is complex and involves human settlement and wild-life 
conflict issues, and elephant displacement of "bush-cows."

Shelter

Norwegian Refugee Council has started the distribution of zinc and other 
building materials to returnees in Bomi County as part of the ongoing 
reintegration program. The shelter project is expected to benefit 400 needy 
families; 40 each in Grand Cape Mount and Gbarpolu, and 320 in Bomi County.

Child Protection

There is an increase in the need of catering to orphanages. Christian Children 
Fund reported in the Bomi County Sectoral Protection meeting that efforts have 
been made to have WFP provide feeding services for these Orphanage Homes. It 
was agreed that a joint assessment be conducted by all stakeholder of the 
Protection Sector to all of the Orphanage Homes in Bomi County. After the 
assessment a recommendation shall be made for the appropriate assistance 
needed. Efforts have been made to curtail the handing over of food items to 
children by the UNMIL Military personnel. This issue has for the past time 
created problem for parents. The meeting also discussed the need for engaging 
individuals who are found promoting child labor. The Christian Children's Funds 
(CCF) is planning a 1 day workshop on Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) and 
Child's rights in Tubmanburg. Don Bosco reported that returning IDPs to Lofa 
Bridge, Vaye Town, have displaced around 300 children from attending school. 
The former IDPs have according, to Don Bosco started utilizing school buildings 
for dwelling purposes. The issue will be pursued at the earliest possible time.

7. Protection Reporting- Lofa County Sexual Gender Based Violence

All attending NGOs and local actors in the SGBV meeting reported cases of 
domestic violence and gender sexual based violence. A plan for addressing 
SGBV/GBV is being developed and a mutual reporting table will be produced. 
There was also concern raised about the unanimity of the Magistrate Courts 
proceedings and management of these cases, and a joint letter of concern will 
be written to the Ministry of Justice, UNMIL Human rights and Rule of Law to 
address the situation.

Protection monitoring

During the reporting period, the Unit has conducted monitoring in Voinjama 
town. The monitoring focused on the right of the child and included visits to 
two schools, one clinic and the CIVPOL Voinjama Office.

Education

The team visited one elementary school and one high school. About 40% of the 
students at the primary school were girls compared to an attendance of 15% girl 
in the high school. According to the principal at the high school the low 
percentage was due to the fact that many teenage girls drop out of school 
because they get pregnant. None of the schools are completely free, and it 
costs between 20 to 30 USD to attend the elementary school for one academic 
semester.

Abuse and sexual exploitation

The Officer in Charge at the ICRC-Clinic in Voinjama informed the IDP Unit that 
the clinic is experiencing numerous incidents of Sexual transmitted disease 
among children aged between 14 and 18 years. In their treatment of under-aged 
patients the clinic-staff often understand that they have been subject to 
sexual-exploitation, but these persons most often are not interested in 
disclosing details. Since July they have treated 2 or 3 incidents of girls who 
are about 15 years of age who have also been beaten up after having refused to 
marry a person their parents or guardians has selected for them.

Children in Detention

CIVPOL in Voinjama informed the IDP Unit that 2 persons under the age of 18 
were in detention in Voinjama prison awaiting trial. One 14-year-old girl is in 
detention for having stolen objects on several occasions. Another 17-year-old 
girl is in detention for having signed a guarantee that was broken. She seems 
to have pledged that her boyfriend would not run away from some obligation, 
which he ultimately did. Both girls have been in detention for more than two 
weeks. CIVPOL informed the IDP Unit that their cases were still pending in the 
Magistrate Court due to the lack of a prosecutor in Voinjama.

Street Children

Both the school principal and CIVPOL informed the IDP Unit that there are 
numerous street-children in Voinjama, although no one would estimate a number. 
The principal at the high school also informed the Unit that some of these 
children sleep within the school compound. According to the principal many of 
these children are former child-soldiers recruited from Guinea, and not 
Liberian citizens. The principal of the elementary school also informed the 
Unit that some of these children sleep in the marked-hall, abandoned buildings 
and sometimes with friends.

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