LRRRC Charts New Course for Resettlement, Disaster Response

The Liberia Refugee Repartition and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) recently wrapped up a two-day retreat aimed at enhancing the efficiency of its staff. LRRRC Executive Director, Patrick Worzie, highlighted the significance of the retreat in an interview following its conclusion. 

Worzie announced the commission's request for a comprehensive system audit from the Civil Service Agency, General Services Agency, and General Auditing Commission, focusing on assets, personnel, and finances. “This audit is intended to address any existing gaps and align the commission with the government's ARREST agenda,” he said.

The retreat brought together both current and volunteer staff, focusing discussions on the commission's mandate and its role in aiding individuals affected by disasters like heavy rains and storms. 

Worzie emphasized the commission's attention to former Ivorian and Sierra Leonean refugees who have opted to settle in Liberia, indicating a need to facilitate passport acquisition for many of them.

“There is a need to seek passports for most of them. We have also taken into consideration the plight of people who appeared to be stateless as a result of their failure to show any identification cards to claim Liberian nationality,” he said.

Furthermore, the retreat addressed the predicament of individuals considered stateless due to a lack of identification, hindering their claim to Liberian nationality. In response, the commission is developing a contingency plan to aid vulnerable groups, including victims of fires and floods.

A critical outcome of the retreat was the formulation of a strategic plan to execute the “Bring Back Our People from Ghana” operation. 

Worzie noted that participants agreed on the necessity for rebranding and reconfiguring the commission, along with reviewing previous leadership initiatives.

In conclusion, Worzie emphasized the collaborative efforts between the commission and government entities such as the President's Delivery Unit and the Ministry of State in executing these reforms and initiatives.