- Status of Return
As of the 28 June 2005, a total of 182,451 IDPs has received return assistance, representing 35,593 families. Please find the various categories detailed below.
2. Field Movement
|
Figures and
Categories
|
Type
of Assistance
|
| 43,426 facilitated by IOM from the 8 November 2004 through 17 March 2005 |
This type of IDPs received transport
assistance from IOM to the transit or distribution center closer to their
area of return and has also received secondary transport allowance along
with their 2 months initial WFP food ration and non food items
|
| 45,279 spontaneously return to their county/ district of return |
These IDPs received their return
assistance, secondary transport allowance, food and non food items through
their family head while they travel ahead with their families to their
communities of return.
|
| 93,728 accelerated movement phase of the returning beginning the 11 of March 2005 through 20 June 2005 |
This category of IDPs received
their primary and secondary transport assistance along with the two months
food ration from WFP and NFIs from UNHCR through their implementing partners.
|
| 5,110 Total Vulnerable move by IOM |
These vulnerable IDPs groups were transported
to the nearest drop-off point to their destination and provided with secondary
transportation allowance, food and non-food items. The figure indicated
herein is cumulative as per the accelerated movement.
|
| 182,451 This figure represents IDPs assisted to resettle to their respective communities | These IDPs have received all their return assistance |
3. Movement in Montserrado County IDP Camps
Distribution of return assistance is ongoing in Mt. Barclay Camp. As of 29 June 2005, out of the targeted caseload of 10,566 IDPs, WFP through its implementing partner the Lutheran World Service has served a total population of 10,477 with resettlement cards while a total number of 9,045 IDPs have been served with the first two months food tranche. UNHCR through its implementing partner GTZ has served a population of 10,314 IDPs representing a total of 2,116 families. The American Refugee Committee (ARC) has served a population of 2,833 IDPs with transportation allowance.
4. Movement in Bong County IDP Camps
Deregistration and distribution of return packages has been in progress during the period under review at Maimu II for the remaining caseload there. As of 30 June 2005, a total of 8,989 IDPs (1,606 households) was deregistered from WFP log and given resettlement cards out of a total caseload of 9,328. From 21 to 29 June, a total IDPs of 6,611 (1,167 households) have received their food items, and 6,375 IDPs (1,122 households) have received their non-food-items. Transportation grant distribution process is still being finalized by UNHCR and NRC.
The Second tranche food distribution for eligible IDPs residing in Salala and Totota took place from the 28 June to 1 July 2005. A visit to the distribution center on the 28 June 2005 revealed that many IDPs were aware of the distribution date and place in advance.
5. Hut demolition
During the period under review, 116 huts were demolished in Maimu I, 315 huts in Maimu II, 389 huts in and Maimu III. Demolition of huts is also ongoing in Mt. Barclay camp and as of the 28 June 2005, a total of 1207 huts have been demolished. Thus, so far cumulatively, about 25,000 huts have been demolished, out of the initial 64 000 huts in camps and spontaneous settlements.
6. Trucking of Vulnerable IDPs
During the reporting period registration and trucking of vulnerable IDPs continues in Montserrado and Bong Camps by the International Organization of Migration (IOM). As of the 28 June 2005, IOM has registered a total of 11,184 IDPs and transported 5,110 vulnerable IDPs to their area of return.
7. Protection/ SGBV
The case of a 12 years old girl who was raped 2 weeks ago is still being perused by the Police. The IDP Unit made a follow up visit during the reporting period, and found that the girl is doing well and is receiving psychosocial support. According to the police, the alleged perpetrator is still at large and every effort is being made to apprehend him.
On 30 June 2005, after presenting a falsified WFP Ration Card and attempting to collect return assistance a person was arrested by the police. He was later on interrogated and detained, but was released the following day. Earlier, two similar attempts of persons presented similar falsified WFP Ration Cards were also detected and confiscated, but the two persons left the camp before the police could arrest them. These incidents indicate that falsification of WFP cards might be organized. The IDP Unit/WFP teams in the field have initiated an investigation into these incidents, however, there is a need to conduct a more thorough investigation to find the source of these falsified WFP cards.
8. Monitoring Areas of Return
Bomi
In order to plan field monitoring a team from the IDP Unit held meetings with Local Authorizes, NGOs, UNHCR and UNMIL representatives in Tubmanburg this week. Several of the representatives roughly estimated that 80 000 -- 90 000 former displaced persons (both former IDPs and Returnees) have returned to Bomi County and that an estimated 79 percent of these have received their second food tranche.
Additionally, their main findings included information that land disputes are mostly solved after negotiations in Local and Traditional mechanisms and if not resolved brought to the Housing and Property Committees, the latter is chaired by the Superintendent and LRRRC holds the position as secretary, also attending the sessions is the City Mayor.
In regard the access to basic services the LRRRC representative informed the team that 30 water wells were operating and 9 medical clinics have been established and are currently delivering basic medical services to the population.
Further the LRRRC representative informed the Team that structures within local government involved in Community Empowered Projects are operating. In each community or town a Town Development Council have been established, which identifies needs and gaps for development. Proposed projects are submitted to a Development Council which then works and coordinates with local NGO's and the community to identify small scale and micro funding and local resources. The projects are evaluated through a local Project Management Committee, which is responsible for implementation, assessment and audit.
Bong
On 30 June 2005 team from UNHCR/IDP Unit made a trip to Jorquelleh District, Bong County to monitor IDPs who have returned to the district in order to report on their general conditions. The team met with many of the returnees whom we interviewed. The returnees reported being "happy to be home", however, they also reported lack of basic facilities and services such as good drinking water and toilets in their area of residence.
New staff member
During the last week the IDP Unit was joined by an additional international staff member Mr. Ingvald Heldal, Field/Protection Officer.
IDP Unit - 07/2/05
Disclaimer
- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.