IDP return in Liberia - Update 6

1. Status of Return
A total of 53,460 IDPs were provided assistance to return to their counties of origin as of 20th February 2005. These IDP have all been provided with the requisite humanitarian assistance and taken out of WFPs feeding logs.

2. Field Movement

From the 8th of November 2004 to the 20th of February 2005, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been moving IDPs from the seven Montserrado camps of Perry Town, Wilson, Blamacee, Seigbeh, Rick's, Jahtondo and Plumkor. In addition, other IDPs have moved on their own or encouraged to do so as reflected in the table below;

3. Rick's closes and Fendell opens

The pilot exercise of the accelerated movement of IDPs under the "Montserrado-to-Montserrado" closed at the Rick's camp on 22 February. It should be noted that there are other IDPs in Rick's camp that come from other counties beyond the Greater Monrovia that are still being hosted and continue to be assisted in Ricks. As of 20th February, 2,435 IDPs were assisted to move out of this camp and as they left they demolished 405 huts where they have been living.

Due to pressure on the government from the Administration of the University of Liberia to return to its campus facilities at Fendell, the IDP Consultative Forum has directed the Implementation Unit to begin sensitizing the IDPs in preparation for eminent departure. The registration of IDPs began on 22 February. A total of 596 individuals or 238 family heads registered the first day. Those participating in the exercise included the IDP Implementation Unit, UMCOR, LRRRC and the IDP camp leadership. The registration continues during the week of 22nd February.

4. Focus on Logistics

The Logistics Officer and two Assistants on loan from the WFP who are now based in the IDP Unit of the Humanitarian and Relief Coordinator's Office held consultative meetings with service providers on 15th February to identify bottlenecks in the movement of the IDPs and find ways of fast tracking return programme. Subsequently, it was agreed that;

- UNMIL will provide trucks on a need-basis to WFP logistics unit to facilitate pre-positioning of food in return areas. (UNMIL has set aside 20 trucks for humanitarian use following demarches from HC/RC)

- WFP will continue to use the former cantonment sites in Tubmanburg and Sinje to preposition food to help expedite the movement of IDPs.

Office of the Humanitarian and Relief Coordinator
February 22nd 2005