Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Monrovia (Fides Service)- The UN High Commission for Refugees UNHCR operation to help about 314,000 internally displaced Liberians return to their districts of origin was completed last week. During civil war in Liberia lasting over ten years displaced persons lived in camps mainly around the capital Monrovia. In the former Salala camp in western Liberia a ceremony was held to mark the conclusion of the programme.
UNHCR generally protects and assists refugees. In November 2004 the Agency began officially to work with internally displaced Liberians living in conditions similar to those of refugees. So far 22 of 22 spontaneous camps and 13 settlements have been closed by the Liberian government. In collaboration with other UN agencies UNHCR has provided displaced Liberians with assistance, protection, return kits and safe transport to their districts of origin.
The returnee kit consisted of non food aid, blankets, materesses, plastic sheeting, cooking utensils, lamps and medical kits. Most of the people returned to war affected areas in the counties of Lofa, Bong and Bomi, in north and west Liberia.
In December 2005 UNHCR launched a humanitarian appeal for Liberia in order to continue in 2006 its activity of protection, assistance and re-integration and for example programmes of rehabilitation for former displaced persons, repatriated refugees and local people. So far the Agency has received 5.1 million dollars. Between November 2004 and April 2006 UNHCR used over 24 million dollars to assist displaced persons in Liberia.
At present the United Nations is considering whether UNHCR should continue to be involved in checking the number of people in camps still in need of protection and in what terms, with special attention for the most vulnerable cases and also to determine the environmental impact of camps in specific areas.
In Liberia one of three pilot programmes for internally displaced persons is underway (the other two are in Uganda and Democratic Congo) using the so-called cluster approach which assigns specific sectors of assistance to different agencies. UNHCR is responsible for protection, and management of camps and shelters. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 24/4/2006 righe 37 parole 440)
