Photo Credit: Refugees International/ Sally Chin
06/06/2005

Unlike refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) receive less assistance in making it back to their area of return. One of the big problems facing IDPs has been transportation. The UN agencies, which have been “collaboratively” responding to IDP needs under the auspices and direction of UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), decided to provide the displaced with a cash transportation allowance, as opposed to providing trucks for all as UNHCR does for refugees. The displaced in Liberia have also been given their supplies in the camps as opposed to in their areas of return. They then have had to hire private transport for themselves, their luggage, and their supplies.

RI witnessed this scene on the road from Zorzor to Voinjama --- IDPs riding precariously on top of a broken-down truck.

UNHCR personnel in Lofa county told us that on several instances they have assisted IDPs that have been stuck on the roads, but because it is not in their mandate they don’t have the resources to help in all cases.