NON-STATE ACTORS AND THE MANAGEMENT OF LIBERIAN REFUGEES IN ORU-IJEBU REFUGEE CAMP IN NIGERIA, 1990-2007

Abstract

This paper critically interrogates the role of the non-state actors in the management of Liberian refugees Oru-Ijebu Refugee camp in Nigeria between 1990 and 2007. Nigeria was one of major host countries of Liberian refugees in West Africa in particular and Africa in general during this period of study. The non-state actors played significant roles in the management of Liberian refugees in Oru-Ijebu refugee camp. Through effective collaboration with the Nigerian government as well as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR), the non-state actors succeeded in managing Liberian refugees in Oru-Ijebu refugee camp in Nigeria. The main non-state actors that played significant role in the management of Liberian refugees in Oru-Ijebu refugee camp in Nigeria during this period were Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) and African Refugee Foundation (AREF). These non-state actors provided necessary humanitarian assistance to the Liberian refugees who were housed in Oru-Ijebu Refugee camp in Nigeria during this period. The methodology adopted in the study was historical, thematic, qualitative and quantitative utilizing both primary and secondary sources of data collection.