BULLETIN Bimonthly published by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - Liberia

15 October 2004 Vol. 1, Issue No. 5

Bong County and River Cess County Mount County. The mass information campaign, Declared Safe for Return which will provide all the necessary info for the IDPs on the re-settlement exercise, was launched on Oc- tober 18, 2004. The Liberian National Security Assessment Committee for Resettlement (SACR) declared on October 8, 2004 Second Convoy of Liberian Refugees that the and River Cess County were From Sierra Leone Arrives Home safe for the return of refugees and IDPs. This brings the total of six counties declared safe for return so The second convoy of 80 Liberian refugees from the far. , , Grand Cape Mount Taiama, Tobanda and Gerihun camps in Sierra Leone County and were declared safe on arrived in Liberia on October 8, 2004. The drop-off September 15, 2004. point for the 80 refugees who hailed mainly from Executive Director of the Liberian governmental body, LRRRC, and Chairman of the SACR, Philip Dwuye, said that the SACR teams continue their assessment work in the field. The assessments are based on a set of benchmarks such as the completion of disarmament, presence of the civil authorities and reasonable spon- taneous returns by IDPs and refugees. Re-Settlement of IDPs Starts on November 1, 2004

The National Transitional Government of Liberia, with the assistance of the international community will start re-settling Liberian IDPs on November 1, 2004.

Liberian refugees crossing over from Sierra Leone to Liberia from with few from Bomi County was Sinje Transit Centre. At Sinje, they re- ceive the first installment of the food package and some non-food items to assist them in starting a new life. The third convoy is scheduled for October 22, 2004. Polio Eradication Campaign

The UN family in Liberia and the Liberian govern- ment launched on October 7, 2004 a week long polio eradication campaign. Phase one of the campaign will run in 23 sub-Saharan countries, including Perry Town IDP camp hosts 15,802 Liberian IDPs Guinea, Sierra Leone and Cote d’Ivorie, and target 819,000 Liberian children. The re-settlement of IDPs will take place only in the The second round of the polio eradication campaign counties declared safe starting with the Grand Cape in Liberia will run from 18 - 22 November, 2004.

This document does not necessarily reflect the official position of the United Nations THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

First UNHCR assisted returns She explains that she has some UNHCR Implementing were greeted into Liberia on Oc- family in her home village and that Partners at Sinje Transit tober 1, 2004. Seventy seven they will help her and her family to Liberian refugees from Sierra get back on their feet. “Let my Center Leone made a decision to return people come back home because home on the first UNHCR land the war is finished,” is her mes- African Humanitarian Action convoy. Refugees explained why sage to the Liberian refugees who (AHA) - conducts health screen- they made the decision to re- are yet to decide on coming back ing. This turn, what their future plans are home. UNHCR imple- and what message they have for PATRICK MOMOH has decided menting part- their brothers and sisters who to come back and find out what ner checks re- are still in the refugee camps. happened to his family members - turnees’ medi- mother, father, sister and daugh- cal cards and UMARVA TURAY is from Sinje ter - who stayed behind when he conducts vacci- District and lived in one of the left. “Well, I decided to come back nation if neces- camps in Sierra Leone for the because since the sary. Also, they inquire about the past two years. His wife and six war took place in returnees’ health complaints and children are all returning home. Liberia I have refer them to the health center “I decided never heard any- within the walking distance of the to come thing about my transit center if required. back be- family so I decided WFP - in charge of registering re- cause my to come back and turnees and pro- home is look for them.” He ducing a feeding free. was in a camp in log. WFP staff on UNHCR is Sierra Leone for 18 months. “I the site explained telling us we can go home will- thank God because the people re- that their organi- ingly, we are not forced.” He ceived us well,” explains Mr. Mo- zation was in explains that the first thing he moh when asked about the treat- charge of provid- wants to do when he goes back ment at the camp. He hopes to go ing food assis- is to send his children to school back to his home village, recon- tance for return- and build a house. His message struct his house and make some ees. to Liberian refugees is very money to start a small business. GTZ - pro- clear. “Home is the best. Home As for his fellow Liberians who are vides camp is home, whether a village, or a still living as refugees, his mes- manage- city or bush. Your home is your sage is that they should start com- ment, does home.” ing back “There are no guns – that NFI distri- SANDO ZOMBO is returning is the most important thing.” bution with home with her husband and four NANCY MAH - “I decide to come local of their children after spending back because NGOs, in- 18 months at a camp in Sierra there’s nowhere volved in secondary transportation Leone. I am free to go home,” like home.” Dur- and distribute secondary travel explains Mrs. ing her two and allowances. Zombo. The a half years in Liberian Is- treatment in a Sierra Leone lamic Union refugee camp she received skills training in tie for Recon- was very good, and dye and needle work and now struction but she wants to she wants to pass the skills to her and devel- go home now. “ brothers and sisters in Liberia. “My opment Everything I left message is that Liberian refugees (LIURD) - behind has been should come home because no- the camp managers. The LIURD destroyed, that’s why I want to where like home, they have to staff members explained that their go back and build a new house.” come with us to be in Liberia.” organization provides the shelter

2 and make sure that correct food end of the war. Additional 26 pri- appropriate grades. Since 1999 the rations are distributed. mary schools need to rehabili- program has helped many children. Community Empowerment Pro- tated to provide adequate pri- The 2004/2005 school program has gram (CEP) - this UNHCR imple- mary education in the county. commenced and is targeting 300 menting partner is Bong County public or community schools in the responsible for In - Massaquoi following eight counties – Bomi, identifying the Junior High is operational and Bong, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Lofa, Maryland, Nimba and special needs Bakalu Junior High is undergoing Montserrado. These counties were cases such as un- renovation. Suacoco District—G. selected due to the fact that they accompanied mi- W. Gibson Jr. High, Suacoco High were the areas where high numbers nor, elderly, preg- School and Gbatala Jr. High are of returnees were expected. During nant women, lac- all operating. Kpai District— this school year, an estimated tating mother, the Yanquoi Bee Junior, Zabay Junior 20,000 students will benefit from the blinds etc.. The High were recently renovated and ALP program and about 600 primary CEP staff described that the proce- functioning. Panta District— school teachers and principals will be dure in cases of special need Foequelleh Jr. High is operating. trained to handle the teaching as- groups they assist them by refer- Zota District—Belefenia Jr. High is pect. In terms of support, the se- ring them, for example, unaccom- currently undergoing rehabilita- lected schools will be provided with panied children to an IP that is in tion and not operating. Sanoyea furniture, and will also receive in- charge of that. For the elderly who District—Gbonota Junior High structional, recreational and sport- may be departing, one of their so- presently being renovated. ing materials. Minor renovations cial workers will accompany them to his or her nearest point of desti- nation, ensuring that he/she arrives in dignity and is protected.

EDUCATION

Grand Cape Mount In Gola Konneh District currently six schools are operational, while in Porkpa District two schools are cur- rently open. In Tewor District, four schools are running. Bomi County Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is carrying out Emergency Educa- Belefanai School, Bong County, being rehabilitated by UNHCR-IP (LUSH) tion Program in 15 different areas in the county. To reach the ade- ACCELARATED LEARNING will be carried out if necessary, quate educational coverage in the PROGRAM (ALP) including the improvement of wa- county, additional 52 schools will be The Accelerated Learning Pro- ter and sanitation facilities. WFP is rehabilitated. gram (ALP) has been designed by seeking assistance to provide food Gbarpolu County the Liberian Education Ministry support for the project. Two schools operational in the and UNICEF to speed up the county, and 70 more to be rehabili- learning process of disadvan- tated to provide adequate educa- taged, over-aged (9 and above HEALTH tion in the area (Bokomu District - yrs) children who have missed 33, Bopolu - 25, Belleh - 6 and out in school during their early Gbarma - 11). schooling years. The program Gbarpolu County River Cess County compresses the six years of regu- In - Henry Town Presently, 2 primary schools are lar primary school into three Clinic 70% rehabilitated, and functional, but none of the high years, thus enabling them to Bopolu Health Center 95% reha- schools have re-opened since the catch up with their age- bilitated. In Bokomu District -

3 Gbangay Clinic 70% rehabilitated, gage (max 50 kg. per person) and For the sake of protection of fam- in Gbarma District - Tarkpoima then you will be transported to ily unity, you are encouraged to Clinic and in Kongba District - Liberia. There, you will be received plan to repatriate together. No Kungbor Clinic both 70% rehabili- by the Liberian government and children should be left behind in tated. UNHCR. the camps for any reason. If your Bomi County What documents should I family has adult dependents who Currently, three clinics, mainly mo- carry to Liberia? wish to repatriate at a different bile, operating in the county. Re- In addition to you Voluntary Repa- time, you need to present your turnees to this county will be using triation Form (VRF), you have to case to UNHCR for advice. If your Sinje and Teneh transit centers for have your birth and marriage cer- request is approved, the VRF will medical activities and medical es- tificate, medical card, education be issued for departing family cort under the co-ordination of the and skills training documents, as members only and the ration card African Humanitarian Action well as employment, child custody will be changed accordingly. (AHA). and property related documents. What can I take as hand lug- Bong County When do I register? gage? Currently, two hospitals are in ser- The repatriation is voluntary, You are advised to pack your hand vice—in Phebe District and Bong which means that you need to de- luggage with essential items you Mine District. There are 4 opera- cide in the best interest of your may require for overnight stay at tion health centers and 30 clinics family. When you are ready, you way stations, particularly for chil- are functional. should register with UNHCR. One dren (i.e. sleeping mats, blankets, River Cess County thing to remember is that there change of clothing etc). There is one hospital operating in will be no convoys between July I’m a separated child/ the county , one mobile clinic is and September because of the unaccompanied minor. Will operational, a health center and rains. UNHCR take me home? 16 clinics need rehabilitation I am not registered with You are not encouraged to In - Borkeza Clinic is fully operational. Luyema Clinic, also in Zorzor District, is undergo- ing rehabilitation and should be open by mid-October. Bolahun Health Center in Kolahun District is fully operation, but currently inac- cessible due to poor road condi- tions. . In Borobo District - Glofakeh Clinic provides basic services,. In Harper District - Cavalla Health Center, Fish Town Clinic and Rock Town Clinic all providing basic health services. In Kurluway - Karloken Clinic has basic services, and in Pleebo - Pleebo Clinic and Little A Liberian family repatriated from Ghana by air on October 1, 2004 Wleebo Clinic basic services. UNHCR. Can I be repatriated? repatriate during the facilitation FREQUENTLY ASKED Only refugees registered with phase unless your parents or a UNHCR can be transported back traditional caregiver has been QUESTIONS home. Unregistered refugees can identified in Liberia in advance. come home and benefit from UNHCR will ensure that ICRC is I am a refugee and I want to community-based assistance. advised of all separated children/ return home. What do I do? I want to return home, but UAM to assist in finding their fam- You have to register with UNHCR some of my family members ily members and provide special to be issued a VRF, go though the wish to stay behind. Can we assistance to reunite you with medicals screening, pack your lug- separate? them when they are found.

4

PEACE EDUCATION

Liberian communities, which have been declared safe for the return, have started receiving the first groups of their fellow citizens who had sought refuge in neighboring countries during the war, and now have decided to return to their homes. The role of the host com- munities is significant, as their atti- tude towards the incoming return- ees is a direct reflection of the rec- onciliation process. In order to facilitate that process, UNHCR and Talking Drum Studio have devised a theater play on peace education entitled “Peace Peace Forever” performance in Sinje Town, Grand Cape Mount County Forever”. The play invites commu- nity members to seek a peaceful soldier were to begin receiving numbers of ex-combatants are dis- resolution for any problem they their TSA payment on 01/10/04 arming. might encounter upon the arrival of but was postponed by the pay the returnees, namely the property team, according to them for ad- The security situation remains disputes. “Peace Forever” is of in- ministrative reasons. relatively calm, but unpredictable. teractive nature and invites the au- Gbarpolu County At times, demonstrations have be- dience to partake in the session, as Currently, no UNMIL presence in come violent sometimes causing well as educating them on the im- this county, but plans are under- civil unrest and danger to commu- portance of always choosing peace way to deploy by the end of Oc- nities in Monrovia. to resolve problems. tober 2004. Patrols twice a week GENERAL SECURITY in Bopolu. DDRR completed in UNMIL’S MANDATE EXTENDED this county. The Security Council session voted SITUATION Maryland County unanimously on September The DDRR exercise commenced 17,2004, to extend the UN peace- Grand Cape Mount County on September 29, 2004. The food keeping mission in Liberia (UNMIL) UNMIL’s presence in the County, distribution to MODEL ex- for another year. and their troops are based in Gbah, combatants in the Harper District The United Nations Mission in Li- Sinje, Robers Port and Bo Water has begun. beria (UNMIL) marked on October Side. Daily patrols along the main 1, 2004 one year anniversary. UN- highway between 08.00 and 20.00 The DDRR was completed in MIL arrived to Liberia following a hours. Disarmament was completed Nimba County on September 28, UN Security Council Resolution in on September 10, 2004. 2004. The DDRR operations will September 2003. UNMIL peace- Bomi County continue in Nimba officially until keeping force took over from the UNMIL’s presence in the county, 31 October for residual ECOWAS vanguard force, which and their troops are based in Tub- caseloads. was deployed in Liberia to enforce manburg and Clay. Regular patrols River Cess County the ceasefire agreed in Accra by between Tubmanburg and Poo- As of recently, the security phase the now former fighting forces. River Bridge on the main highway in this county has been down- UNMIL’s one year of operations in (24 hrs), and also in Bopolu and graded from level V to level IV. Liberia has been marked by much Lofa Bridge. Disarmament on- Lofa County progress in the implementation of going. The DDRR process continued as the Comprehensive Peace Agree- Bong County planned although at a slow pace. ment (CPA). The payment of TSA to ex- The cantonment sites occupied at The DDRR exercise is due to be combatants continues. The ex-child full capacity, meaning that large completed by October 31, 2004.

5 UNHCR Interventions by Counties

UNHCR SACLEPEA VOINJAMA ZWEDRU MONROVIA TUBMANBURG GBARNGA HARPER OFFICES

Grand Gedeh, Si- Montserrado, Margibi, Gbarpolu, Bomi, Grand Maryland, Grand Kru, COUNTIES Nimba, Rivercess Lofa Bong noe Grand Bassa Cape Mount River Gee

Soleyea TRANSIT Ganta Zwedru Pleebo Voinjama Perry Town Sinje Gbarnga CENTERS Saclepea Toe Town Harper Zorzor

Ganta Yekepa under con- WAY Bopolu struction Salayea STATIONS Bo Water Side Loguatuo under con- struction

Rehabilitated 80% Gorwrogba Town Basic services: 1)Borkeza Clinic 1)Methodist Hospital Clinic, Kumeh Town Operational: Glofakeh Clinic, Cavalla operational in Ganta operating. Clinic, Polar Gber- 1)HCR provides two ambu- Bopolu Health Center, Henry’s Clinic, Fish Town Clinic, 2)Rehabilitation 2) Catholic-run clinic zon Clinic, Janzon lances. Town Clinic, Gbangay Clinic, Rock Town Clinic, Karloken of Luyema Clinic 1) Needs adequately cov- HEALTH in Tappita operating. Clinic, Putu Jai- 2) UNHCR IP supporting Tarkpoima Clinic, Kungbor Clinic, Pleebo Clinic, Little starts mid- ered by health agencies. 3) Saclepea commu- wodee Clinic, Toe health activities in Perry Clinic, Sinje HC, Lofa Bridge Wleebo Clinic October nity clinic to be reha- Town Clinic, Zai Town and Seighbeh camps. Clinic, Damballa Clinic, Sem- 3) Kolahun Hos- bilitated by MERCI Town Clinic, Zleh behun Clinic and Robertspot Barraken Clinic being reha- pital rehabilitated Town Clinic, Putu bilitated Pennokon Clinic

1)Over 54 hand pumps to be rehabili- 1)Hope Int. Mission completed 1) 15 wells to be rehabili- 1) Over 30 wells iden- tated in 13 priority rehabilitation of 4 wells and 7 1) Three hand pumps con- tated in key districts of tified for rehabilitation. 1) Assessment in villages. (two room) latrines in 1) Water points and sanita- structed in Karnweaken. Montserrado County and 2) Six hand pumps Lofa for Watsan 2) Several hand Totoquelle. tion facilities have been 2) ICRC installed 3 new WATSAN will be involved in commu- available. activities com- pumps/few private 2) ADEN and JPF will be con- rehabilitated in five primary pumps in Harper. nity training and slab mak- 3) Several private pleted. wells available. structing wells and latrines in schools. 3) In Fish Town 4 hand ing for individual family toilettes rehabilitated. 3) 18 hand pumps 6 districts in Grand Cape pumps being repaired latrines. identified for rehabili- Mount tation.

1) Several 1) One public school schools rehabili- in operation. tated as a part of 1) Seven primary schools, 1) Gorpuldoloboi Primary 2) Mempa and Belle- 1) 28 schools identi- 1) UNHCR partner to reha- 1) One govt. school in the UNHCR including education offices in School in Belefenai under- waley community fied for rehabilitation bilitate seven schools to in Karnweaken EDUCATION school renova- Tubmanburg and Robertsport, going rehabilitation schools under con- by community and Montsserado County with 2) Little Wlebo elementary tion project. identified for rehabilitation by 2) Rehabilitation of 5 struction. local authorities. community involvement. school under construction 2) 10 Schools to UNHCR implementing partner. schools 3) PWJ rehabilitating be rehabilitated 5 schools in Lofa. 6