How Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugees settled in the forest region of Guinea (1990-96)

Rural refugees fled to rural areas, and urban dwellers settled mainly in the cities. Most settled in border areas and many integrated spatially and economically in the host societies. A refugee-assistance programme supported this self-settlement, and granted free medical care in the Guinean health services.

Food aid started late, but most refugees fared relatively well, as they could develop partial self-sufficiency. Between 1992 and 1995, an additional 150,000 refugees arrived in a series of smaller waves. These late arrivals had lived through several years of serious hardship, had often been internally displaced before, and were in poor health.

By that time, refugees were encouraged to settle in camps. The majority, however, continued to self-settle. In many areas, refugees outnumbered their hosts.

In 1996, roughly half of the refugees were living fully mingled with the Guineans, and some 25 per cent were living in new or paired villages. Less then 20 per cent were living in refugee camps, but due to their visibility, this small proportion shaped strongly the image outsiders had of all the refugees. The settlement pattern of the refugees determined largely the degree of self-sufficiency they could reach.

The diversity of this situation was not sufficiently acknowledged by the aid agencies. Recognizing such diversity is, however, a precondition for assistance that complements the refugees' own coping mechanisms.