Refugees International: Reports: Visual Mission: Liberian refugees in Cote d’Ivoire

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Visual Mission: Liberian refugees in Cote d’Ivoire

Over 50,000 Liberian refugees are in Cote d’Ivoire, unsure whether to go home or to stay. The majority of them are required by the Ivorian government to live in the officially designated Refugee Welcome Area, which is located in the west of the country along the Liberia/Cote d’Ivoire border. To its credit, the Ivorian government has consistently accepted refugees and encouraged them to integrate locally rather than placing them in camps.

Nonetheless, on a recent visit to western Cote d’Ivoire, Refugees International found Liberian refugees living in a range of situations, from relatively successful local integration to near abandonment to an organized camp to a transit center. What unifies the experience of Liberians in Cote d’Ivoire is their reluctance to return to their home country, their fear of possible violence in Cote d’Ivoire, and their hope for resettlement in a third country outside the region.

Sally Chin and Mamie Mutchler recently returned from a two-week assessment mission to Cote d’Ivoire.

Cote d'Ivoire 2005: Peacetown in Guiglo

Photo Credit: Refugees International/ Sally Chin
06/11/2005
Some 6,500 Liberian refugees are currently being housed in “Peacetown,” the only official refugee camp in Cote d’Ivoire in Nicla, near Guiglo. This camp was opened in 1995 because of concerns for Liberian safety in the wake of renewed conflict. Refugees were pleased with the services they were receiving, such as food rations, health care and vocational training. There is even a computer training center. Yet they voiced concerns about their safety, particularly in light of growing tensions in the west of Cote d'Ivoire. “People say we brought the war to Cote d'Ivoire. We are attacked if we try to go to the bush to gather firewood.”

However, most refugees are not prepared to return to Liberia any time soon. One refugee told us that even though things are very unstable in the west of Cote d'Ivoire, he feels ten times better in Peacetown than in Liberia. “I would rather die slowly here in the camp than face instant death in Liberia. Elections will lead to violence, and then I will have to run back here again.” The majority of Liberians in Peacetown are hoping for resettlement in a third country.