Population figures
Total country population
5,536,949
Forcibly displaced population
Refugees (under UNHCR's mandate):
1,164
Asylum-seekers:
665
IDPs (of concern to UNHCR):
0
Other people in need of international protection:
0
Other
Statelessness persons
0
Host community
0
Others of concern to UNHCR
0
Country context
Liberia, located on the west coast of Africa, is a country that has demonstrated a commitment to protecting refugees. Refugees benefit from a legal framework that largely respects their rights, and the country does not have an encampment policy, allowing refugees to move freely. Ivorian refugees are recognized on a prima facie basis, while non-Ivorian refugees undergo individual refugee status determination (RSD).
The Liberia Refugee Act (LRA) governs refugee status and identity documentation. Refugees are issued attestations upon registering with the Asylum Committee, and once recognized, they are provided with identity cards. However, the process for obtaining a residence permit remains complicated, costly, and bureaucratic.
...Refugees have access to the same social services as the host community, although limited infrastructure in rural areas affects service delivery. Housing remains a challenge, as refugees often rely on rental accommodation, and a durable shelter program has been initiated to improve living conditions. In terms of economic inclusion, there are efforts to integrate refugees into the broader economic framework, ensuring they can access services and participate in income-generating activities but despite these efforts, the overall socio-economic situation for refugees in Liberia is challenging. The government has expressed its intention to support refugees who opt for local integration, including to simplify documentation processes and reduce costs for residence permits, but full legal integration has not been fully realized.
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