The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire and head of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), Aïchatou Mindaoudou, and the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Liberia and head of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), Farid Zarif, on Wednesday, 2 December 2015, went to ''Little Wlebo''refugee camp situated at 15 kilometres from ''Harper City'' from ''Harper City'' in Maryland County in southwest Liberia, close to the border between Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire.



The SRSG's meeting with the 8,697 refugees in ''Little Wlebo'' camp is part of the implementation of UNOCI's according to UN Security Council Resolution 2226 (2015) which recommends that the UN Mission " support the Ivorian authorities in preparing for the voluntary, safe and sustainable return of refugees and internally displaced persons in cooperation with relevant humanitarian organisations and in creating security conditions conducive to it».



On its arrival at Roberts International Airport, the UN delegation was welcomed by representatives of the Liberian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Dave B. Kontoe and Fakateh S. Weagba as well as the Executive Director of the Liberian Commission for the Repatriation and Reinstallation of Refugees (LRRRC), Abla Bonyenon G. Williams.



The head of the UN Missions were accompanied by the Representatives of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia, Mohamed Askia Touré and Ndeye Ndour, as well as the Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Liberia, Cleophas Torori.



The delegation was warmly welcomed by the refugees in the public square of ''Little Wlebo'' camp. The president of the refugee camp, Elisabeth Kouyoh Nogbado, explained the conditions in which they live in the camp as well as other issues. « With regard to education we would like the secondary school in the camp to be recognized and financed and that the exam certificates that the pupils get be recognized in Côte d'Ivoire. We would like micro-projects and we would like the allowances that refugees who return to Côte d'Ivoire voluntarily receive to be increased and that they are provided with security on their arrival. We would like to see real reconciliation in Côte d'Ivoire », said Mrs Kouyoh.



« We are always better off at home ! Life in a refugee camp is transitional. So its normal that nobody is making the conditions such so that you can stay here a long time or for the rest of your life »,the Special Representative Aïchatou Mindaoudou told the refugees. With the return of peace in Côte d'Ivoire and taking into account the urgent humanitarian situation in other regions in the world, the Special Representative told the Ivorian refugees that the resources and aid given to Ivorian refugee camps will be gradually reduced which is another reason for them to return to Côte d'Ivoire.





We are always better off at home! ​



« After the post-electoral crisis, there were 250, 000 Ivorian refugees living in other countries. Today, there are only 6,000 living outside the country. The majority of them have returned home and you should follow in their footsteps. I would like to see you return to Côte d'Ivoire because today peace and security have returned to the country. In addition, you have a role to play in promoting reconciliation », said the chief of UNOCI, suggesting that a delegation of refugees should come and see the situation in the country for themselves.



With regard to voluntary repatriation, the Special Representative said this will resume very soon through humanitarian corridors after consultations with the Liberian and Ivorian authorities.



The UNHCR Representative in Côte d'Ivoire, Mohamed Askia Touré, said that the conditions were now right for the return of Ivorian refugees. Returning to the information shared by the UNHCR Representative in Liberia, Ndeye Ndour, the Head of UNOCI reassured the refugees by informing that that a list of all the areas of return had been composed and that all the schools and health centres in these areas have been rehabilitated..



In response to other concerns expressed by the refugees with regard to the education of their children, Mrs Mindaoudou explained that their children can return to school as education is now free for everyone.



The Special Representative concluded the discussions with the Ivorian refugees in ''Little Wlebo'' camp by assuring them that the UNHCR Representatives will come back to meet to provide them with information on the conditions of their voluntary repatriation.