UPDATE NO. 2 March-June 2004 REPATRIATION & REINTEGRATION OPERATIONS IN LIBERIA

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS Spontaneous returns Liberian refugees continue to return home spontaneously from various countries in the region. Current estimates indicate that over 50,000 have returned since December 2003. UNHCR has registered more than 15,000 from Sierra Leone; 40% have ended up in camps in the Monrovia area along with IDPs as the conditions in their places of origin are not yet conducive for safe return. In the camp setting, returnees receive protection and assistance in the form of shelter, non-food items, trauma counselling, medical support, food from WFP and emergency Perry Town waystation [Photo: UNHCR, S.Brownell] schooling for the children. An estimated 20,000 have been returning from Guinea to Lofa County, mostly going to their districts of origin in what appear to be “go and see visits”. Meanwhile, there are reports that significant numbers are returning from Côte d’Ivoire due mainly to the prevailing security situation in that country. An estimated 5,000 have crossed into Grand Gedeh. High numbers of returnees have also been observed in the Counties of Bong, Grand Cape Mount, Maryland, Montserrado and Nimba. (continued overleaf)

FUNDING SITUATION AT A GLANCE USD BUDGET 39,241,983 • An estimated 50,000 Liberian refugees have returned spontaneously from various countries in the region since CONTRIBUTIONS December 2003. Canada 602,142 • UNHCR has deployed upcountry with full-time presence in Denmark 1,153,213 Gbarnga, Saclapea, Zwedru and Tubmanburg, and part-time Finland 497,512 presence in Harper and Voinjama.

Germany 612,745 • The deployment of UNMIL troops is proceeding on schedule. Ireland 612,745 Disarmament of ex-combatants resumed in April.

Netherlands 556,000 • Several initiatives have been undertaken within the context of Norway 708,215 the 4Rs framework involving a broad-based group of Spain 131,448 stakeholders including the National Government of Transition of Liberia. Sweden 686,813 USA 11,000,000 • Funding for UNHCR’s supplementary programme for repatriation and reintegration has reached USD 16.6 million against total Private donors 44,023 requirements of USD 39.2 million. TOTAL 16,604,856 Current shortfall (22,637,127)

UPDATE NO. 2

PROTECTION CONCERNS UNHCR and National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) are continuing to urge Liberian refugees in asylum countries to wait for the organized voluntary repatriation operation which is scheduled to commence in October 2004. Many returnees are unable to get to their places of origin as the conditions are not yet conducive for safe return. Joint information campaigns have been conducted in the main countries of asylum in this regard.

The main obstacles to establishing conditions for the return and reintegration of refugees and IDPs include the continuing presence of armed elements in Counties where DDRR programmes have not yet begun and the absence of local authorities, administration and law enforcement institutions. Returnees arriving from Côte d’Ivoire have reported cases of harassment and extortion along the way on the Ivorian side of the border. Others have been hindered from crossing over the borders of neighbouring countries for security reasons.

Recommendations for inclusion of refugees in the electoral process have been addressed to the National Electoral Commission and the NTGL for consideration in the new electoral law. In addition, a draft proposal for a legal framework which will guarantee a safe and dignified return of Liberian refugees has been sent to NTGL and the main countries hosting Liberian refugees. Their feedback will contribute to the development of Tripartite Agreements before UNHCR embarks on the facilitated voluntary repatriation operation in October 2004.

The recovery of property and access to land is a priority concern as regards returning refugees and IDPs. In Bong County, where many returnees are coming home to find their land and houses occupied by ex-combatants, UNHCR is part of the Property and Land Committee. Terms of reference for the Committee include a survey of the number and location of properties as well as places of origin of present occupants, sensitization at demobilization sites and in communities. Mediation and settlement of disputes was also recommended. The absence of detention and prison facilities in Bong County continues to be a source of concern to stakeholders in Bong County. The matter is being discussed with UNMIL.

Major developments (continued) UNHCR Deployment to the Field Following the lowering of security restrictions, UNHCR has established a permanent presence in Gbarnga, Tubmanburg, Saclepea and Zwedru. Tubmanburg has been selected as the location to cover the Counties of Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu and Bomi in place of Bopulu which presented difficulties of access and had no relief organizations. Meanwhile Zwedru continues to serve as relay station for access to the office in Harper which covers Maryland County. For the time being Lofa County is being covered through regular missions from Gbarnga. Construction of office premises and staff accommodation is in progress. Offloading non-food items [Photo: UNHCR, S.Brownell] 2 Repatriation and Reintegration Operations in Liberia

OPERATIONAL CONSTRAINTS

Climate: The current seasonal rains are rendering overland travel very difficult as roads have become impassable. The rains are also having adverse implications for shelter, as many returnee houses have no roofs.

Security: Disarmament is yet to take place in Lofa and Maryland Counties, which will receive close to 50% of the total returnee Staff accommodation in Tubmanburg [Photo: UNHCR, S.Brownell] population from neighbouring countries. There have been reports of harassment and extortion by ex- PERATIONS PLANNING combatants who are manning O random roadblocks. Meanwhile, there are fears that the worsening UNHCR Multi-Year Operations Plan crisis in Côte d’Ivoire could explode UNHCR is currently consulting partners on a draft Multi-Year into the sort of brutal and grisly Operations Plan for Return and Reintegration of Liberian returnees conflicts witnessed in neighbouring (2004-2007) which will serve as the framework for coordination Liberia and Sierra Leone in recent and implementation of the programme. years, leaving West Africa with tens of thousands of refugees. Similarly, Regional Repatriation Review Meeting the fragile political situation in An internal regional repatriation review meeting was held in Guinea could deteriorate with Monrovia in April bringing together UNHCR staff from countries direct implications for Liberia. hosting Liberian refugees. The purpose was to lay the groundwork for the organized voluntary repatriation operation scheduled to Accommodation: There is an acute commence in October 2004. Participants discussed registration lack of appropriate facilities for protocols, logistical modalities including trucking, mass staff housing and office premises. information/sharing of information among offices and with In Gbarnga, Saclepea and Zwedru refugees, cross-border coordination including with partner rehabilitation work is ongoing. agencies, border monitoring, profiling of returnees, reintegration Containers are being set up in packages, and linkages of the return movement with DDRR Voinjama. Appropriate buildings processes. A follow up meeting will take place in August 2004. have been identified in Tubmanburg. For the time being staff posted in Voinjama and Profiling of spontaneous returnees Harper operate from Gbarnga and As more counties and districts become accessible, UNHCR and Zwedru respectively which is not NRC are planning to co-ordinate the profiling of spontaneous adequate to provide full refugees countrywide in order to adequately plan and implement operational coverage. reintegration activities, including provision of individual family packages. The programme will include capacity building of existing Trucking Capacity: The anticipated national partners , including comprehensive training to LRRRC large-scale movement of returnees community monitors. Other partners involved in the exercise and IDPs to their places of origin include the national Red Cross, WIPS, WSI, LUSH and LRRRC. will create huge demands for the Returnee profiling will be carried out in close collaboration with transport sector as will the need to WFP. move relief items.

3 UPDATE NO. 2

REPATRIATION REINTEGRATION REHABILITATION RECONSTRUCTION In the pursuit of durable solutions for displaced populations, the 4Rs programme concept is applied to promote community development and ensure linkages between the four processes of repatriation, reintegration, rehabilitation and reconstruction in post-conflict situations. It helps to lay the groundwork for RS medium and longer-term programmes and projects, build up local capacity, 4 mobilize communities, and support processes of good local governance. The 4Rs concept provides an overarching framework for institutional collaboration in the implementation of reintegration operations.

4Rs Workshop 4Rs Core Group

UNHCR collaborated with United Nations Country Team in Liberia to The 4Rs in Liberia is spear- organize a 4Rs Workshop in Monrovia on 25 March. The workshop was headed by the Core Group attended by participants from the NTGL, UN agencies, NGOs and established by DSRSG/HC donors who are represented in Liberia, including ECHO and USAID. in March 2004.

The workshop used the United Nations/World Bank Liberia Joint Needs The Liberia 4Rs Core Group Assessment sector working paper on Refugees, Returnees and IDPs as is composed of the NTGL the base document and reviewed the RFTF for programme strategy represented by LRRRC, development and implementation arrangements. Working groups came UNMIL, UNICEF, UNOCHA, up with recommendations for the implementation of sustainable FAO, WHO, UNHCR, WFP, community reintegration programmes including the establishment of UNDP, UN-Habitat , ECHO inter-agency Transitional Recovery Teams (TRT) to provide effective and USAID. mechanisms to coordinate and strengthen community development. −Basic services: the group led by UNICEF recommended developing The 4Rs Core Group meets pragmatic plans for accelerated learning programmes, school feeding twice a month to discuss and teachers’ deployment as well as urgent needs for revitalizing and coordinate health services. programmatic issues, emphasizing linkages with −Social protection: the group led by WFP recommended community other national programmes participation and promotion of self reliance; and the need for an such as DDRR. The 4Rs interagency return monitoring mechanism with special emphasis on Core Group focuses on child protection issues. The group also recommended the undertaking field operations and of joint assessments to ascertain real food needs in the communities explores ways to while advocating for a six months rations to the food insecure strengthen field teams to Counties. achieve cohesion of −Absorption and implementation capacity: the group led by UNOCHA purpose with emphasis on acknowledged that there were inherent risks and institutional capacity information sharing concerns associated with the implementation of the programme. The between agencies and need for agencies to incorporate capacity building aspects in their involvement of line programmes at the local level was emphasized. The group reiterated ministries in the entire the need to develop simple coordination structures at all levels with process. structured application of process that facilitates information flow between UN agencies, NGOs and donors.

ACRONYMS DSRSG/HC: Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General/Humanitarian Coordinator NTGL: National Transitional Government of Liberia RFTF: Results-focused Transition Framework

4 Repatriation and Reintegration Operations in Liberia

UNIFEM Gender mainstreaming in reintegration UNICEF programmes, including: Collaboration and integrated planning in the • Develop Multiyear Gender Development project following sectors: proposal (2004-2007) Education • Engage a local NGO to implement joint gender − Develop a common work plan /approach to mainstreaming project. education activities • UNHCR to support capacity building of Ministry − Number of school to be rehabilitated per of Gender offices in the counties county/per district • UNIFEM to provide technical assistance to line − Number of county Education offices to be ministry staff at county levels. rehabilitated and equipped • UNIFEM to sponsor participation of implementing partners staff in a gender Health and nutrition development workshop in workshop in Accra − Mapping of clinics to be rehabilitated − Provision of drugs and equipment − Coordinated support to health centres − Joint nutritional surveys WFP Food and Food-for-Work related activities Social protection including: − Develop common areas of intervention • Embark on a joint programme to profile − Common implementing partners spontaneous returnees and IDPs − Joint capacity building programmes • Jointly develop plans for distribution of the first installment of food packages and NFIs Water and Sanitation • Assist returnees in their Counties; foster self- − Develop common standards reliance and psychologically prepare − Standard water pumps population for permanent return. − Joint training of water committees • Conduct a survey to determine the number of − Standard Latrine Slabs Ivorian refugees in Liberia. • Work out a common strategy for the development of coping mechanism of displaced population and host communities World Bank utilizing Community Empowerment projects UNHCR will work closely with the World Bank in and Food-for-Work programmes. the implementation of Community Driven Development by: − utilising common resources to train community UNDP mobilisers Long term collaboration and partnership in the − utilising the findings of the WB social context of 4Rs process, including: assessment in the implementation of programmes • Lead the Community Development Working − regular information sharing on funding of Group to support community development partners and locations of intervention. programmes

• Develop Community Based Recovery Programmes on a multi year basis (2004- 2007) and work out an integrated multi year common strategy towards community UNOCHA development projects A UNHCR and UNOCHA continue to co-chair the • Implement community-based recovery IDP Committee meeting which is tasked to programmes in all main areas of return manage and co-ordinate activities in IDP camps. • Use Community Empowerment Project Funds UNHCR has established an IDP Unit that liaises to help sustain reintegration with UNOCHA and other organisations on assistance for IDPs and return preparations.

5 UPDATE NO. 2

Community Empowerment SECTORAL OVERVIEW Beyond securing the country, the NTGL will need the support Shelter Education of the international community A pilot community shelter project Support will be provided to the to create a viable environment for Liberians to cohabit for 150 families is ongoing in education sector in collaboration peacefully. In the delicate post- Totoquelleh Village, Gborpolu with UNICEF and the Ministry of conflict climate, it will be County where the entire education including the necessary to implement community was rendered rehabilitation of primary schools, programmes that bring homeless by war devastation . support to teacher training communities together and More than 40 shelters have been activities, rapid education promote a culture of constructed in the first phase of reconciliation. programmes and parent-teacher As the restoration of state the programme using community associations. Rehabilitation work authority progresses and labour. Later phases will include has begun in Lofa and partners recovery strategies start to rehabilitation of the 120 capacity are mobilising resources for deliver results, an important village school, water wells and interventions in other Counties. focus of UNHCR’s work will be individual family latrines. to support returnees by increasing opportunities for Drawing on the lessons of the rural communities to direct the pilot Gborpolu shelter project, Health and nutrition processes of restoring basic UNHCR and UN Habitat have UNHCR has signed agreements social services, rural developed the Village Integrated infrastructure and their own with five partners to support the Shelter Project (VISHEP) targeting capacity for collective action revitalisation of health and through village-based shelter construction highly nutrition facilities in the main Community Empowerment devastated villages of return. The areas of return. Interventions Projects (CEPs). programme aims to mobilise have started in Gborpolu, Grand The CEP concept aims to communities (200-300 families) Gedeh, Maryland, Bomi and Lofa empower communities to at village level to construct their shape their future by giving Counties. The main interventions houses up to sub structure level. them the resources to improve will be the rehabilitation of rural their standard of living. UNHCR Community labour will be used to clinics, limited support to referral will promote community rehabilitate or construct village hospital in Harper and Voinjama, empowerment both as an schools, individual family latrines provision of drugs and equipment, auxiliary to its returnee and water wells while fostering and community health and reintegration programme and community cohesion and peace related outreach services. as part of its broader exit building. The project provides for strategy. CEPs are designed to Transitional Recovery Teams to be the protection interface between UNHCR and persons assist in selecting and identifying of concern in areas of return. eligible villages. UN-Habitat and Water and sanitation They will phase in to larger the National Habitat Secretariat A community-based approach is World Bank supported projects will provide technical back up and being adopted in these sectors. in line with the UNHCR/UNDP/ monitor implementation of the World Bank 4Rs strategy. Priority water points have been VISHEP. 50 VISHEP projects are Guidelines for Community identified in all major areas of planned for implementation this Empowerment Projects have return. UNHCR and UNICEF are year covering 15,000 families. been shared with UNHCR coordinating with other agencies implementing partners. to identify the most needy

6 Repatriation and Reintegration Operations in Liberia communities. Key interventions Community Empowerment Capacity building will include support to Projects in the sector of rehabilitation of water and agriculture. Through UNHCR is working with USAID sanitation facilities in schools, implementing partners FAO will (OFDA) to build capacity of the training of community water also develop a programme for Liberian RRRC by the committees as well as community fishing and animal establishing regional offices and construction and distribution of husbandry. training staff. latrine slabs using community labour. Environment Peace building Agriculture UNHCR has signed an agreement UNHCR is developing a with Environmental Foundation community reconciliation The Liberia Agriculture for Africa to mainstream programme on peace building, Reintegration Project (LARD) is a environmental protection and human rights and training with a Joint UNHCR/FAO programme awareness in reintegration local NGO Foundation for aimed at revitalising agriculture projects. The project is to be International Dignity (FIND). The practices in returnee areas. It implemented in close project aims to make linkages involves procurement and collaboration with Government with other programmes such as distribution of seed and tools as agencies Environmental rehabilitation of ex-combatants in well as provision of technical Protection Agency and Forest establishing peace committee support to build the capacity of Development Authority and aims through community leadership the Ministry of Agriculture at to enhance their capacity to lead structures in returnee areas. The county and district level. It will conservation efforts through programme will start in Lofa target agriculture extension environmental education in County and be extended to the workers, the key technicians who schools, community sensitization Counties of Bong, Nimba, Grand will advise returnees on timely campaigns and production of Cape Mount and Maryland. cropping periods and monitor community energy saving stoves.

DDRR

UNMIL resumed the DDRR exercise in April. As of 21 June 48,970 ex-combatants had been disarmed in: Gbarnga, Bong County (10,691); Buchanan, Grand Bassa County (10,605); VOA, Montserrado County (10,630) and Tubmanburg, Gbarpolu County (11,224).

UNMIL has reported the disarmament of 3,297 Child Associated with Fighting Forces (CAFFs), among them 675 girls and 30 foreign child soldiers. UNICEF and Child Protection Agencies are running Interim Care Centres where CAFFs are accommodated. UNHCR has contributed non food items for the benefit of the demobilised child ex-combatants and has been providing vehicles to transport the child ex- combatants since December 2003.

UNHCR’s collaboration with UNMIL includes monitoring of the registration of the disarmed ex- combatants in order to interview those that may claim foreign nationality and asylum. UNHCR has made recommendations to UNMIL to initiate regional dialogue on the issue of foreign ex-combatants in Liberia and Liberian ex-combatants in neighbouring countries and formulate a regional legal framework to guide the process of their return. UNHCR has offered to provide technical support to UNMIL in this regard. UNHCR will repatriate family members of ex-combatants now living in camps in neighbouring countries should they request such assistance. Other UNHCR/UNMIL collaboration efforts include logistical support to transport disarmed child combatants, support in training police recruits in gender issues, and accommodation and escorts to UNHCR field staff.

7 UPDATE NO. 2

OVERVIEW OF UNHCR INTERVENTIONS UNHCR OFFICE MONROVIA TUBMANBURG GBARNGA COUNTY (IES) Monteserrado, Maghibi, Grand Gbarpolu, Bomi, Grand Cape Bong Bassa Mount GENERAL Activities in these counties are The establishment of The town of Gbarnga serves as covered by a dedicated field permanent presence in the an important transit point from operation team in Monrovia. strategic town of Tubmanburg Monrovia and other hinterland has made it possible for counties. UNHCR to access both the main returnee areas and the Bo Waterside border entry point. SPONTANEOUS Spontaneous returnees from Bo Waterside Grand Cape Unconfirmed reports indicate RETURNS Sierra Leone continue to be Mount County has been the that large numbers of transferred to these camp. So far busiest entry point so far with returnees have entered Bong some 7,000 returnee are hosted an estimated that over 15,000 mostly from areas adjacent to in the two camps. returnees crossing from Sierra the border with Guinea. Leone. Those who cannot UNHCR will work with partners return to their places of origin to confirm these reports and homes are transferred to initiate assistance. camps in Montserrado County; currently there are 7,000 mostly from Lofa County. RECEPTION/ Most of the activities are A 400 capacity transit facility One transit centre has been TRANSIT concentrated in Montserrado has been established at Bo constructed in Gbarnga and County which has three refugee Waterside for returnees another is to be constructed at camps, two returnee camps and awaiting to be transported Belefennai to cater for over 15 IDP camps. A site has inland. returnees proceeding to Lofa been identified in Monrovia for a County. 500 capacity transit centre to cater for sea and air repatriation and transit overnights. HEALTH UNHCR implementing partner and UNHCR implementing partner Needs are adequately covered other agencies continue to has in consultation with by health agencies. HCR is in support health activities in Perry UNICEF and Ministry of Health discussion with partners on Town and Seighbeh camps. HCR identified 10 clinics for ways to complement these. has provided two ambulances. rehabilitation.

WATER AND UNHCR partner has identified 15 UNHCR partner has identified An inter-agency village SANITATION wells for rehabilitation in key 20 wells for rehabilitation/ assessment is ongoing. districts of Montserrado County construction. The programme Rehabilitation of water points and will be involved in community will also cover schools in Bomi and sanitation facilities will be training and slab making for and Grand Cape Mount. carried out in 5 primary individual family latrines. schools.

EDUCATION UNHCR and UNICEF have UNHCR partner has identified Priority is being given to established a primary school and 7 primary schools for rehabilitation of 5 primary kindergarten for returnee children rehabilitation including schools with the highest at Perry Town. 270 students have education offices in enrolment and support to the enrolled thus far. Tubmanburg and Ministry of Education in Robertsports. Programme will reorganizing the County UNHCR partner is to rehabilitate 7 include supply of school education management team. schools in populous areas of material, rapid education Montserrado County with programme and support to community involvement. parent-teacher associations in collaboration with UNICEF.

8 Repatriation and Reintegration Operations in Liberia BY COUNTY HARPER SACLEPEA VOINJAMA ZWEDRU Maryland, Grand Kru, River Nimba, River Cess Lofa Grand Gendeh, Sinoe Gee This region is still under Most of River Cess County The county security phase UNHCR was among the security phase V thus is still not fully accessible; was down graded to phase first agencies to resume access by UNHCR staff has UNHCR continues to IV in May enabling limited presence in Zwedru. Other been limited. undertake monitoring and presence. However DDRR agencies present include assessment missions to has not commenced. UNMIL and OCHA. accessible parts of the UNHCR is the only UN County. agency with a presence in Lofa apart from UNMIL. UNHCR partners report UNHCR, LRRRC and So far reports indicate UNHCR and LRRRC increasing numbers of National Red Cross Society more than 20,000 continue to conduct spontaneous returnees have been registering daily returnees have gone back missions in accessible into Maryland County. returns in accessible to Lofa, UNHCR will work areas to monitor returnee areas. An estimated that with the National Red flows. over 15,000 returnee have Cross society to formally returned to Nimba mostly register all the returnees in arriving from Guinea and Lofa county and jointly with Cote d’Ivoire. LRRRC monitor the accessible border entry points. Two transit centers are to Construction of one transit Two transit centres are to The site for the transit be constructed in Harper centre at Ganta is be constructed in Voinjama center has been identified and Pleebo to respond to completed. Four way and Foya to cater for the and a partner engaged to returnee flows. stations will be large numbers of returnees construct and manage it. constructed to cater for expected in Lofa County. returnees.

5 clinics have been Needs are adequately 5 clinics have been Rehabilitation of 9 clinics identified for renovation; covered by health identified for rehabilitation. already in progress. A materials are being agencies including support Intervention will include UNHCR implementing mobilized to begin the from UNICEF. health outreach activities partner also operates one rehabilitation of Pleebo to support Voinjama ambulance provided by Health Centre. Hospital. UNHCR.

A partner has conducted In the main areas of return UNHCR implementing More than 54 hand pumps an extensive assessment more than 30 priority wells partner has completed an have been identified for as a result of which priority have been identified for assessment in Lofa for rehabilitation in 13 priority needs for water and rehabilitation or implementation of watsan villages and schools sanitation have been construction. activities. without facilities plus identified. training of water committees with UNICEF.

UNHCR partner has 10 schools have been UNHCR has signed an 28 schools have been identified 8 schools for identified for rehabilitation. agreement with a partner identified by the rehabilitation in UNHCR is supporting a for rehabilitation of 10 community and local partnership. HCR will school for refugee and IDP schools in Lofa. authorities as priority support provision of children in Saclepea (150 projects. learning materials for students/three teachers). selected schools in consultation with UNICEF.

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