OCHA Situation Report No. 42
Liberia: IDP Return
22 November 2005


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

1. Status of Return

>From November 2004 to date, a total of 240,245 IDPs have received their
return assistance representing a total of 46,240 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                    |thetransit 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 their   |
|own and also linked to  |return                      |
|the International       |assistance, secondary       |
|Organization of         |transport                   |
|Migration (IOM)         |allowance, food and non food|
|facilitated IDPs        |items  through one member of|
|movement above.         |the family while others     |
|                        |traveled to their           |
|                        |communities of return.      |
|------------------------+----------------------------|
|151,540 Accelerated     |This category of IDPs       |
|movement                |received their  primary and |
|phase of the return     |secondary transport         |
|beginning the 11 of     |assistance along with the   |
|March 2005 through      |two months food ration from |
|November 18 2005.       |WFP and NFIs from  UNHCR    |
|                        |through the agencies        |
|                        |implementing partners in the|
|                        |camp.                       |
|------------------------+----------------------------|
|20,670 Total Vulnerable |These vulnerable IDP groups |
|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.   |
|------------------------+----------------------------|
|240,245 This figure     |These IDPs have received all|
|represents IDPs assisted|their return assistance from|
|to resettle to their    |the  humanitarian community.|
|respective communities. |                            |
|------------------------+----------------------------|


3. Movement in Montserrado, Bong and Margibi County IDP Camps

Distribution of resettlement assistance continues for IDPs in Brown's 
Town IDP Camp. Those IDPs who have received their food are eagerly 
awaiting their NFIs and cash. Distribution of assistance package was 
completed at 15th Gate IDP Camp during the reporting period. The 
Liberian Refugee Repatriation Resettlement Committee (LRRRC) and the 
camp leadership have begun the environmental clean-up and demolition of 
huts in the Camp. During the reporting period WFP has completed 
deregistration of IDPs in Children Homes and Civil Compound IDP Camps. 
WFP commenced and

completed deregistration for accelerated movement in Bernard's Curve and 
Freeman Reserve and sensitized IDPs regarding the return process.

Distribution of resettlement assistance has ended at the Morris Farm IDP 
Camp and IDPs have begun leaving for their areas of return. Resettlement 
cards are being distributed in Catholic Compound IDP Camp. Registration 
of vulnerable IDPs at Wilson IDP Camp has been completed. A committee 
has been established to oversee hut demolition and environmental 
clean-up within Wilson Camp. LRRRC, NRC and the IDP Unit have agreed to 
provide a token ($1 US) for each hut that is demolished and cleaned 
after the departure of IDPs from Wilson Camp. Distribution of food for 
the accelerated movement commenced in Blamacee IDP Camp during the 
reporting period.

IDPs from Ricks and Plumkor IDP Camps are receiving their NFI, food and 
cash payment for the accelerated movement process. There are still 
backlog cases awaiting travel allowance and food distribution. At Ricks 
IDP Camp there are issues regarding lost tickets and names claimed to be 
deleted from the WFP feeding log. Until these issues are resolved by 
WFP, NRC indicated that they will not provide the transport allowances. 
At Siegbeh and Sinje-3 IDP Camps there are still some IDPs that are 
waiting for cash payment.

IOM has continued registration of vulnerable IDPs in Salala IDP Camp in 
Bong County. As of 18th of November, IOM has registered 2,271 vulnerable 
IDPs comprising of 303 families.

4. Protection Issues within Montserrado, Bong and Margibi IDP Camps

Health conditions within the camps remain poor as a result of the heavy 
rains during the rainy season and the absence of health centers and 
sanitation facilities. MERLIN, who is the health provider in Soul Clinic 
IDP Camp, has informed the IDP Unit that the clinic in the camp will be 
closed down from 30th of November due to lack of funding. This issue has 
been brought to the attention of the IDP Consultative Forum and efforts 
are being made to determine how to solve the problem. Children under 5 
years of age are being given a polio vaccination in Blamacee, Wilson, 
Jah Tondo, VOA-I and Perry Town IDP Camps.

5. Camp Watch Teams (CWT and LNP), Soul Clinic

In order to increase and co-ordinate security resources during 
distribution of return assistance, IDP Leaders will select new members 
for the Camp Watch Team. Screening will be conducted by LNP and OXFAM. 
LNP will do the training and OXFAM will distribute flash lights, 
batteries and whistles.

6. Movement of Vulnerable IDPs by IOM

During the reporting period, registration and transport of vulnerable 
IDPs continued by the International Organization of Migration (IOM). As 
of 18 November 2005, IOM has registered a total of 27,880 vulnerable 
IDPs and transported 20,670 to their area of returns.

7. General Situation -- Western Region

The warning signals relating to food security and lack of agricultural 
activities are increasing. It is very likely that the region will 
experience food shortages beginning around February. The reasons are; a) 
WFP scaling-down of feeding programmes (food for work, school feeding); 
b) lack of agricultural activities and programmes; c) the second food 
ration will be exhausted; and lack of interest among the communities for 
agricultural programmes.

The Western Region is known for a large agricultural output; however, 
the situation is very different now. Before the war, Lofa and Nimba 
regions were capable of providing enough to provide food for the other 
regions, and an established trade was conducted between the counties -- 
this is not the case presently. The Lofa and Nimba regions will continue 
to experience the heaviest influx of IDPs and other returnees in the 
coming months and it is unlikely that the regions will be able to meet 
even their own needs.

Child Protection

The Ballah K. Davis Orphanage in Suehn Mecca District, Bomi County was 
visited and interviews and reviews were conducted at the facility. The 
facility is pending accreditation by the government. The major concern 
voiced by the manager and the children was feeding, lack of clean water 
and insufficient sanitation. The facility currently houses 79 children 
between 3 and 17 years of age, there are a total of 51 girls. This is 
the first of a number of such assessments, which will take place over 
the next few weeks.

Shelter

The shelter construction project initiated by NRC is ongoing. It is 
anticipated that the construction of the projected number of shelters 
would be completed within the three counties (40 each in Gbarpolu and GC 
Mount and 320 in Bomi) by the end of the year.

SGBV / Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Awareness

The continuation of the SGBV awareness activities was limited to 
Tubmanburg during the week due to the two meetings held by the 
stakeholders in observance of the 16 days of activism. Nevertheless, IRC 
reported three cases of domestic violence that were reported to their 
office. According to IRC, the GBV Program Manager reported that in 
Tubmanburg one of the cases is at the Police Station, while the other 
case will be settled "at home."

On November 16, the Bomi County Police Commander reported 3 rape cases 
by two unknown men in Gabela Town within Tubmanburg City. The men were 
suspected to be carrying knives and pistols. An investigation is in 
progress and the police are searching for the suspects. Health care has 
been provided and Protection will follow-up on the case to ensure that 
the girls receive counseling.

The awareness activities which were initiated at the beginning of the 
month by YES (a local NGO) continue. Plans have been put in place to 
discuss with AHA the last quarter implementation of HIV/AIDS activities 
by YES through its community outreach activities. On November 14, an 
HIV/AIDS counselor training began in Suehn Mecca District. The training 
involved agencies operating within Bomi County. YES Inc. was selected by 
the Ministry of Health HIV Focal person to participate in the training.

A discrepancy, however, exists between the expectations created by these 
types of workshops and the reality in the communities. LNP and the 
Judicial often claim "incentives" to investigate and prosecute cases 
regarding SGBV, or as reported in some instances, they receive bribes to 
drop cases. There are no facilities to test for HIV/AIDS except in 
Monrovia and condoms are very hard to come by. These realities undermine 
the community service efforts and the credibility of humanitarian actors 
working in this sector.

Judicial

The formal opening of the November term of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit 
Court took place this week. The following was highlighted by the judge 
and others present; a) there is a lack of legal practitioners and b) 
land disputes were highlighted as there seems to be an increase in such 
cases. The land commissioner and surveyors elaborated on the issue. The 
court maintained that these cases must be brought before the judge to be 
settled in order to ensure the legality of titles and claims to avoid 
future disputes.

NRC monitors reported a land dispute between Kanga and Golodee citizens. 
Kanga citizens are claiming 4 lots of land in the area between the 
towns. One case is presently in court awaiting a ruling but the 
situation is causing increased tension between the communities. A 
follow-up mission will be conducted to assess the situation.

Food Security

The combination of insufficient agro/food security programmes and the 
lack of sustainable agricultural activities in the Western Region are of 
concern.

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