Liberia: Focus for IDP returnees moves from conflict to development

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^{31 December 2010}

Following the end of a 14-year civil war in 2003, the number of IDPs in Liberia dwindled from an estimated 500,000 to only a few thousand by 2010. With the support of UNHCR, IOM and WFP, IDPs began to return in large numbers from 2004 to 2006, by which point all 35 camps which had hosted almost 330,000 IDPs were officially closed.

By the end of 2010, the Liberian government and its international counterparts considered the internal displacement situation over. Nonetheless, the situation of an unknown number of displaced people, who had sought refuge in public buildings in the capital Monrovia and who had never registered as IDPs, remained unclear.

Disputes over the use and ownership of land in return areas have continued; the failure to resolve these issues has stood in the way of the re-establishment of long-term security. Recurrent outbursts of violence between rival ethnic groups, such as those between Muslims and Christians in Lofa County in February 2010, have demonstrated the fragility of the situation. Violence against women and girls has remained widespread.

At the same time, displacement and migration into urban areas has put great pressure on urban facilities, and in October, the National Land Commission convened a conference to formulate guidelines for the development of an urban land policy as a step to address the land issues in the country.

General and presidential elections are due to be held in October 2011, and the effectiveness of the electoral process will serve as an indicator of the level of peace and stability. Liberia adopted the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement into national legislation in 2004, and was among the first countries to sign the Kampala Convention in October 2009. However, better governance and wider access to justice are needed if people are to achieve truly durable solutions.

25 June 2009: ICRC report shows continuing impact of displacement caused by civil war

A recent survey commissioned by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has highlighted the impact that the 14-year long civil war has had on Liberians. Becoming displaced still represented the biggest fear for more than a third of the respondents. Nine out of ten respondents had to leave their homes and nearly as many had their houses looted. In most cases, because of displacement, people lost contact with their close relatives.

The armed conflict ended five years ago, and the government declared the IDP return process to be completed in 2006. However, challenges remain, including high unemployment (particularly among young people and ex-combatants), drug trafficking and food insecurity. A UN Security Council mission in May 2009 highlighted the need for progress in developing Liberia’s security institutions.