By Paul G. Rancy, Southeastern Supervisor
Monrovia, July 24 (LINA) – The Country Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees (UNHCR), Zulgarnaimhussian Anjum, commonly called Juan, has disclosed that the agency plans to include members of the refugee host community in Kanneh Clan, Grand Gedeh County, in whatever development project is implemented.
Speaking during a one-day visit to the P.T.P Refugee Camp during the week, Juan said while plans are underway to begin the local integration of refugees, members of the host community will benefit from any livelihood projects currently being implemented on the camp for refugees.
He cited piggery, fishery and poultry as the major livelihood activities presently enjoyed by refugees in the PTP Camp, and revealed that an assessment is currently underway to improve and expand the projects.
He, however, indicated that any parent, be it a refugee or host community member, who does not send his or her child to school will not benefit from such program.
“In order to save the next generation, it is important for school-going children to be in school,” Juan added.
UNHCR Rep. Juan, who is currently in Liberia, is visiting Grand Gedeh County to see how durable the solutions of refugees, which include repatriation and local integration, are being carried out.
He lauded the host community, chiefs, elders and local government authorities for the cooperation accorded the UNHCR and partners working with refugees in the county.
According to him, everything done by UNHCR and partners is in line with the ‘comprehensive refugees’ response framework’ which was globally adopted by UNHCR.
He called on the refugees to take advantage of life sustainable projects as they prepare for the local integration process.
“Resettlement is no longer a durable solution for your situation, but take advantage of either the repatriation or local integration program.” Rep. Juan said.
Also speaking at the meeting, Patrick T. Worzie, Senior Program Officer of LRRRC, extended appreciation to the UNHCR and partners for their support in implementing the refugee program in the country.
He called on the refugees to make maximum use of the sustainable livelihood program in the camp, adding: “Everyone’s future is in his/her hands.”
The LRRRC Senior Program Officer revealed that the vocational needs of the refugees will be revisited so that they will also benefit the host community in the future.
He called on the leadership of the refugees to be champions of the local integration program.
The recent visit of the UNHCR Country Representative in the county was characterized by series of activities, including the dedication of a 15-meter concrete bridge between PTP 1 and PTP 2; visitation to major livelihood projects, including fish, poultry and piggery projects and dedication of the 7-houses constructed for the host community by UNHCR.
“Government is clear, no more resettlement; local integration and repatriation are now durable solutions to your situation,” Worzie declared.
The PTP Refugee Camp was established in 2011 by the government of Liberia through LRRRC with support from the UNHCR and partners in Grand Gedeh County.
The camp is located about 16 kilometres from Zwedru, the capital of Grand Gedeh County.
The camp is currently hosting over 4,000 Ivorian refugees.
LINA PGR/TSS/PTK