IDP return in Liberia - Update 9

1. Status of Return
The movement of IDP continued from the camps in Monrovia and as of 16th March 2005, some 81,766 IDPs received humanitarian assistance to return and reintegrate in their counties of origin.

2. Field Movements

Please find the overview of the movement of IDPs from the Montserrado camps from 8th November 2004 to 16th March 2005.

3. Accelerated Movement in more camps

The accelerated movement of IDPs that began on 11th March in Fendell continues and was extended to Jahtondo, Perry Town, E.J. Yancy, and Seigbeh. Under the accelerated process, IDPs are provided the resettlement package and the transport allowances (Primary and Secondary) in the camps prior to their departure. This week 6,166 IDPs were verified for movement in Jahtondo which means that this caseload is ready to receive return assistance. Additionally, 2,089 individuals or 752 heads of family were assisted for movement in Fendell. In Bong County where the camp of E.J Yancy is situated, a team from the IDP implementation Unit, WFP and the Norwegian Refugee Council is working to assist over 6,000 IDPs, previously been verified. This team will return to Monrovia on Sunday during which time the operation will be reviewed by the NRC and the IDP Implementation Unit.

4. Criteria for Vulnerability in the Return Process to be determined

The IDP Consultative Forum is currently in the process of determining the criteria for IDP beneficiaries considered as "Vulnerable Groups" or IDPs with special needs. These groups will benefit from trucking to their districts of origin provided by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). As such, This category will not benefit from the cash grant provided to other IDPs under the accelerated movement but would be provided the same resettlement package of food and non food items provided by the WFP and the UNHCR.

5.Mass Information and Sensitization for Montserrado Camps

During the week of 14th March, senior members of the IDP Implementation Unit held a series of interviews that were broadcast on the UNMIL and Talking Drums radio stations. Reporters from UNMIL radio also conducted pre-recorded radio interviews in Fendell and Perry Town IDP camps. The basic message conveyed in these interviews was the return process and the emoluments to the IDPs. Sensitization of the Bong camps was held on 2 to 4th March at which time fliers containing the return package were distributed in all the camps.

The IDP Return Implementation Unit has scheduled a mass information and sensitization campaign in the Montserrado camps next week. During the exercise posters and fliers depicting the resettlement package would be distributed and posted in the 13 formal camps and 9 Spontaneous Settlements in Montsserado County. The sensitization team will hold town meetings in the IDP camps to reinforce the return message. The IDPs leaders are key partners in the meetings that will also involve humanitarian actors such as camp management teams, representatives for women, men and the youth of the camps.

6. IDP Registration for return is suspended

After inter-agency consultations, it has been decided to suspend the registration of IDPs to avoid duplication and delays in the accelerated phase of the return process. The change of procedure to use WFP feeding data facilitates verification of ration cards, which subsequently qualifies IDPs for the resettlement package.

7. Camp clean up and demolition of huts is restarted.

The IDP Unit has acquired one pick-up truck, limited tools and paint from UNMIL to help restart the stalled hut demolition exercise. Huts where IDPs has departed from will be marked to allow for easy identification and subsequent demolition. This exercise will be lead by the IDPs themselves with support from the humanitarian community.

Office of the Humanitarian and Relief Coordinator
March 19th 2005