ABOUT THE EMBASSY

EMBASSY OFFICES

Refugee Affairs Section

The Refugee Coordinator based in Abidjan is responsible for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of all refugee assistance projects in West Africa funded by the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM).  As such, the Refugee Coordinator works closely with major international and intergovernmental organizations (IOs) providing humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced persons, as well as a variety of international non-governmental organizations (NGOs).  PRM's main implementing partner for refugee assistance is the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).  Other partners include the World Food Program (WFP), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).  The Refugee Coordinator also works closely with host-government partners providing assistance to refugees.

In 2005, PRM financed more than $47 million in refugee assistance programs in ten West African countries.  The majority of PRM's resources were targeted at projects supporting the return of Liberian refugees to Liberia as well as camp-based assistance for Liberian refugees.  Other major caseloads included refugees from Togo in Ghana and Benin.  In 2006 the majority of PRM's funding will concentrate on supporting the return and reintegration of Liberian refugees into their local communities following the successful Presidential elections in Liberia.  The Refugee Coordinator also works closely with the Coordinator for U.S. Resettlement activities based in Accra, Ghana.