UN Sets Up New Ivorian Refugee Camp

9 May 2011

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has begun the relocation of Ivorian refugees to a second refugee camp following the influx of thousands of Ivorians into eastern Liberia.

A total of 148 Ivorian refugees were this week relocated from the Maryland County capital, Harper, on board UNHCR trucks to the camp at Little Wlebo, about 14-km from Harper.   The journey lasted about 50 minutes.

There are currently 14, 391 registered refugees in Maryland County, including 4,321 that are staying at the Harper transit centre.  The refugees originate from Blolequin, one of the Ivorian towns most affected by fighting. Despite the end of the post-electoral crisis in Côte d’Ivoire, many of them tell UNHCR that they plan to stay in Liberia until they feel that peace and stability have been consolidated.

Thanking donors for their continued support in responding to the refugee emergency, the UNHCR Representative to Liberia, Mr. Ibrahima Coly said the second camp is a significant step in improving the delivery of humanitarian assistance to refugees in a centralized location.  “Better services are available in the camp and families are assured of their privacy,” he adds.

Three communal shelters, security and health screening areas, dinning hall, kitchen and distribution centres have been constructed on the camp site. Upon arrival, the refugees were supplied with food and non food items. In addition, they will be provided tools with skilled and unskilled labour helping them to construct their own shelter.  Liberian National Police have been deployed to provide security in the camp which has a capacity for 20,000 people.

UNHCR opened the first camp for Ivorian refugees at Bahn in Nimba County in February this year. It currently hosts 3,503 refugees and has better medical services, shelter, adequate safe drinking water and educational activities, among others.

Meanwhile, UNHCR continues to register at least 250 people crossing per day, mainly into      Grand Gedeh County.  According to them, they are continuing to flee mainly due to fear of reprisals.

So far, more than 165,000 Ivorians have been registered in Liberia since the influx started on 29 November 2010.

AllAfrica – All the Time