OCHA Situation Report No. 2
West Africa Region
Cote d'Ivoire
30 April 2003


Highlights
Cote d'Ivoire plus 5: Humanitarian Situation
Regional Population Movements: The Numbers Continue to Grow
Focus on: Côte d'Ivoire -- Liberia -- Guinea "Triangle"

Humanitarian crisis: Cote d'Ivoire
How to protect civilians in the west?

The situation in the west remains the most alarming aspect of the
humanitarian crisis in Cote d'Ivoire. Steady outbreaks of fighting and
violence have prevented access to the vulnerable populations there since
late November, when the MJP and MPIGO rebel groups emerged. Civilians have
been wounded and killed in the crossfire, and targeted by armed elements.
Tens of thousands of IDPs are also believed to be in need of emergency
assistance there. A recently established UN inter-agency office in the
town of Man has begun providing aid to certain accessible populations, and
is working on strategies to reach the others in need, and ensure the
safety of humanitarian workers.


The Unexpected Crisis

The crisis in Cote d'Ivoire erupted on September 19, 2002 to the surprise
of the international community, and has lasted longer than initially
expected. While the reconciliation process is making steady progress, most
notably with the successful formation of the national reconciliation
government, achieving peace on the ground is proving to be an arduous
task.

The country remains effectively partitioned, leaving the north and west
without public services, including health care, education and banking. In
the south, large numbers of IDPs are depending on the generosity of host
families or aid from the Government and international aid agencies. As the
stalemate on the ground continues, the vulnerability of hundreds of
thousands will continue to increase.

As the UN Secretary General's Humanitarian Envoy Carolyn McAskie said, "If
there is no peace in the hearts of the people, then there can be no
peace." It is imperative that the national reconciliation government work
with speed and determination to return social confidence among its people,
and achieve disarmament so that IDPs may return home, public services may
be re-established, and economic activities may again flourish throughout
the country.


Humanitarian crisis: Liberia

Desperate humanitarian situation in Liberia

The ongoing hostilities between the Government of Liberia and dissident
factions have put the Liberian people in the midst of a major humanitarian
crisis.

The current fighting has caused tens of thousands of people to flee their
homes. Over 200,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), mostly women and
children have sought refuge in camps where they are assisted by the
international community. Thousands more Liberians, as well as about 50,000
Ivorian refugees and third country nationals are caught behind the front
lines and are living under extremely difficult conditions. Due to the
security situation, the humanitarian community cannot access 11 of
Liberia's 15 Counties and provide badly needed emergency relief assistance
to the population.

 The IDP camps are overcrowded and their facilities are overstretched.
Minimum standards of assistance are not met, and there are major gaps with
regard to the provision of food, safe water and sanitation, health and
education services as well as protection. To date, donors have provided
just 10% of the 2003 Consolidated Appeal funding requirements of US$ 42.6
million. The United Nations urges donors to enable humanitarian agencies
in Liberia to provide the required assistance to the Liberian people and
refugees by funding the Consolidated Appeal for Liberia.

Protection of civilians and humanitarian workers

The continued armed conflict in Liberia is resulting in serious abuses and
violations of humanitarian rights and humanitarian laws by all parties to
the conflicts, including killings, torture, rape, deliberate targeting of
civilians, abductions and forced recruitment of children in IDP camps.
Humanitarian workers and humanitarian supplies are also targeted. In late
February, three humanitarian workers were killed. A large number of
humanitarian workers are still reported missing in eastern Liberia. The
United Nations calls on all parties to the conflict to commit themselves
to the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers.

Humanitarian situation: Guinea

Influx to Guinea 09/02-04/03

Some 98,430 persons have been registered at border points in Guinea:

- 58,890 Guinean nationals
- 11,896 Ivorian nationals
- 13,661 Liberian refugees
- 13,965 TCNs


Refugees

Some 101,558 refugees are currently registered in camps (SL,Liberia,CDI)

33,556 SL refugees repatriated

Security

Increased border instability with Liberia

Forced evacuation of civilians

LURD activity reported in Forest region

Coordination

Formulation of National Coordination Strategy

Strengthening UNS/(I)NGO collaboration

Opening of Field Office in N'Zerekore

Coordination of Emergency Response Plan

Opportunities to consolidate peace

Promote good governance and the respect of humanitarian principles

Break the cycle of poverty induced by prolonged humanitarian crises

Foster an informed citizenry

Support Culture of Peace programs and conflict resolution mechanisms

Enhance self-reliance of vulnerable groups

Ease the transition from relief to development

Humanitarian situation: Mali

Livestock crisis and menace to social cohesion

The almost complete halt of cattle exportation is having a net, negative
effect on the Malian economy. Particularly it is denying the traditional
cattle breeders of the north, the Fula, Tuaregs and Moors, of the majority
of their income. Because they have felt themselves to be socially
excluded, elements of these populations have, in the past, resorted to
armed rebellion. The longer this crisis lasts, and economic insecurity for
these groups continues, it is feared that the national social cohesion
that has been achieved could suffer.

Humanitarian Snapshot

 The crisis in Cote d'Ivoire has affected Mali at a time when its economic
vulnerability is high due to fluctuating world market prices, the effects
of the 2002 drought, and the decrease in remittances to family members
from some of the over 2 million Malians in Cote d'Ivoire. Since 19
September 2002, over 40,000 Malians have returned from Cote d'Ivoire, over
6,000 third country nationals are in transit, and some 2,500 asylum
seekers and Ivorian refugees have been registered.

The economic effects added to the presence of above mentioned populations
is causing a variety of concerns, including social tensions, food
insecurity, and an increase in poverty.

The CAP for Mali targets 275,900 beneficiaries. Funding will allow: the
continuation of emergency aid and a more effective response to the crisis;
assistance to refugees and returning nationals; protection of the most
vulnerable; assistance to the Government of Mali and host populations; the
promotion of solutions for maintaining the socio-economic balance as well
as a climate of peace.


Humanitarian situation: Burkina Faso

Flood of Returnees

Burkina Faso has thus far registered the return of over 200,000 of its
citizens from Cote d'Ivoire, most of whom returned by their own means.
Infrastructure and services are being stretched in the sectors of health,
education, water and sanitation. Food security concerns are increasing.
Socio-economic reintegration will be difficult for returning populations
having lived for decades in Cote d'Ivoire. Host communities' absorption
capacity is being stretched beyond the limit, due to the levels of poverty
and weak social services.


Severe repercussions

Taking into account the extent and the nature of trade relations between
Burkina Faso and Cote d'Ivoire (and although an updated study from 2003 is
not available), it is safe to say that Burkina faso is one of the
countries most affected by the CdI crisis: 80% of its exports to the
ECOWAS were destined for Cote d'Ivoire. Between 1995 and 2001, the export
income was evaluated at 107 billion FCFA and it is expected to fall in
2003 as well as in 2004. 87% of Burkina Faso's imports from the ECOWAS
originate from Cote d'Ivoire representing 17.7% of the country's total
imports.

Although efforts have been taken to re-route trade in the region through
Ghana, Togo and Benin, the negative impact of the cirisis on the Burkinabe
economy is already being seen through the rising of costs for transport,
loss of income and rising prices. Keeping in mind the poor socio-economic
and climatic conditions of the country, the eroding process of the current
scenario on the country's socio-economic fabric is likely to worsen.


Humanitarian situation: Ghana

Humanitarian Snapshot

Over the past decade Ghana has hosted some 42,000 Liberian, Sierra Leonean
and Togolese refugees in camps and settlements. While Ghana has reaffirmed
its commitment to international humanitarian and refugee laws, there is
the common perception that the presence of refugees and transiting third
country nationals ( TCNs) will lead to increased crime rates, further
spread of HIV/AIDS, strain local resources and encourage mercenary cross
border activity.

Ghana has undoubtedly suffered immense repercussions resulting from the
crisis in Ivory Coast. The border towns, especially, have had to cope with
large numbers of evacuees - mostly third country nationals (TCNs) in
transit to their countries. They arrive ill, hungry, dehydrated and
traumatized and often without any financial resources.

Some assistance has been provided by the Government of Ghana through the
National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), and by the UN Country
Team. A positive response to the CAP will be crucial if these efforts are
to be sustained in the long term. Further assistance is required as a
matter of urgency and it is the hope of the Ghana UN Country Team that the
CAP Appeal serves as the channel for harnessing the desperately needed
resources needed to mitigate the effects of the crisis.


Reception sites for transiting populations

While the Government of Ghana has approved of one reception site at
Essiepong to process, screen, and assist third country nationals, the full
implementation of the UN strategy for third country nationals is
contingent upon the approval of additional sites in the Western Region.


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