- NIMBA COUNTY, LIBERIA-The Government of Liberia has dedicated ninety-three durable housing units for Ivoirian refugees in Bahn, Nimba County.
According to the Liberian Government, the houses were built with support from partners, including UNHCR and UNFPA, to accommodate the refugees.
Giving an overview of the project at the dedicatory ceremony Wednesday, February 16, 2021, the Executive Director of the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC), Rev. Festus Logan, put the total cost of the project at ninety-thousand United States Dollars.
Rev. Logan said:” The construction of the housing units is in fulfillment of a UN Convention that calls for the support and accommodation of refugees in the Country.”
The LRRRC Executive Director noted that about three-hundred family heads are expected to benefit.
Rev. Logan further said that portion of the three-hundred acre of land given by the Bahn Community for the construction of the homes will be used for agriculture activities.
Speaking on behalf of the refugees, Beyan Jean Pea, thanked the Liberian Government and partners for greatly helping their process of local integration.
The Refugee Representative also appealed to the Liberian Government to grant waiver for obtaining legal documents, to enhance local integration into Liberian communities.
In the same vein, President George Weah is urging Ivoirian refugees in Liberia to live in the confines of the law.
President Weah wants the refugees to remain law-abiding at all times, in their quest to obtain legal documents for local integration.
The Liberian Leader said:” It would signal a bad show of friendship if the refugees violate the law of Liberia.”
Meanwhile, President Weah said he will work with the National Legislature of Liberia on the request of the refugees for the waiver of documents to gain legal status, but added that the request needs critical scrutiny.
The European Union Delegation to Liberia has, as well, described as a show of friendship the construction of the housing units for the refugees.
EU Ambassador, Laurent Delahousse, said:” The Liberian Government has paid back the kind gestures Liberians benefited from other friendly nations, during the civil war.”
Ambassador Delahousse pledged the EU’s support to the Liberian Government to improve the lives of foreign residents, especially refugees.
Also speaking, UNHCR Representative, Roseline Okoro, thanked the Liberian Government for working closely with the United Nations Agency to foster local integration.
Madam Okoro said:” The construction of the homes is an added advantage to the resettlement process of the refugees.”
