With the return of the remaining registered internally displaced people (IDPs) in December 2006, the process of resolving Liberia's internal displacement crisis was considered complete. More than 326,000 IDPs returned to their areas of origin and the 35 camps that had hosted them were officially closed in April 2006, formally marking the end of a 17-year period during which much of Liberia's population of three million had at some time been internally displaced. Considerable political progress was made by the government of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to make the transition from conflict to development. The country has also started consolidating peace and stability, with the dismantling of former armed factions and the disarmament of over 100,000 combatants. The sanctions on the country's timber and diamonds have been lifted and Liberia can now progress towards sustainable post-conflict recovery and development.
Despite the fact that the humanitarian crisis is over, the humanitarian needs of many people in Liberia remain considerable. Much must still be done to enable the reconstruction of livelihoods to ensure continuing peace and stability. Years of conflict have left profound social scars and disruption, and all Liberians have been directly or indirectly affected. Acute mismanagement and corruption have devastated Liberia's infrastructure and economy, leaving it one of the poorest countries in the world. Despite the government's progress, regular and visible results are necessary if it is to continue enjoying the popular support that it needs to move forward with reconstruction. Returnees are faced with the challenge of rebuilding their lives without access to basic social services or economic opportunities, while gender-based violence and communal conflicts over land and property rights continue unabated. The high unemployment rate clouds the positive results of the disarmament and demobilisation process. An undetermined number of urban displaced people are living in often grim conditions in abandoned public or private buildings in Monrovia, and they are finding it more and more difficult to access official assistance. termined number of urban displaced people are living in often grim conditions in abandoned public or private buildings in Monrovia, and they are finding it more and more difficult to access official assistance.
Sustainable reintegration and long-term stability will only be achieved if Liberia addresses the root causes of its historical instability and rebuilds around the equal inclusion of all members of society. The government of Liberia has already taken positive steps but it will need long-term international support for the daunting task of post-conflict reconstruction.
Read Full Report at www.internal-displacement.org
Contact:
Jens-Hagen Eschenbächer
Head of Monitoring and Advocacy Department
Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre
Norwegian Refugee Council
Chemin de Balexert 7-9
CH-1219 Châtelaine (Geneva)
Tel.: +41 (22) 799 07 03
Fax +41 (22) 799 07 01
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
