OCHA Situation Report No. 9
Crisis in Cote d'Ivoire
April 12 - 21 2003


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Overview

The implementation of the Linas-Marcoussis peace accord has seen a huge
leap forward with the arrival in Abidjan of the ministers of the Forces
Nouvelles [New Forces - MPCI, MPJ and MPIGO] and their first effective
participation in a cabinet meeting of the National Reconciliation
Government on 17 April. However, recent sustained fighting between the
Government and Forces Nouvelles in western and central portions of the
country, including the repeated use by Government forces of MI-24 attack
helicopters despite pleas by the International Monitoring Committee to
ground the gunships in Abidjan, is in stark contrast with the official
messages coming from reconciliation government officials. Furthermore, the
presence of unaligned and uncontrolled armed groups in the west, both as
attackers and military targets, renders accountability for cease-fire
violations tricky to establish.

Fighting and helicopter attacks have caused an unknown number of civilian
casualties and the continued displacement of populations, most acutely in
the west, but also in Vavoua, in central Cote d'Ivoire.  The humanitarian
situation will continue to worsen unless concerted political efforts bring
effective disarmament and the re-establishment of public health, education
and administrative services to the west and north.  If stability and
security are not restored, the estimated 750,000 IDPs in Cote d'Ivoire
will be unable to return to their areas of habitual residence, and their
need for humanitarian aid will undoubtedly increase.

Political / Military Context

National

Fighting has been reported during the reporting period: in the west, in or
near Bin-Houye, Toulepleu and Para; in central Cote d'Ivoire in Belleville
(near Daloa).  Attacks by MI-24 helicopters reported in the national press
and by the International Monitoring Committee include: Zouan-Hounien,
Sepidou, Sanguinare/Mahapleu and Vavoua.  Heavy fighting reportedly
continued between the Loyalists and Forces Nouvelles over the Easter
weekend in Bin-Houye and Toulepleu.

The International Monitoring Committee for the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement
issued a statement on 18 April insisting that the 11 April appeal by
President Gbagbo and the 17 April appeal by the Council of Ministers for
the cessation of armed hostilities be effectively heeded, and reiterated
its formal request to the Government that MI-24 helicopters be grounded in
Abidjan.

At the Council of Ministers meeting of 17 April, a four-way military
collaboration between Loyalist, Forces Nouvelles, French operation Licorne
and ECOMICI forces was proposed with a view to solving the alarming
situation of uncontrolled armed elements in the west of Cote d'Ivoire.

Ivorian transport minister Anaky Kobenan and SITARAIL (Societe
internationale de transport africain par rail) are working to re-establish
train service on the Abidjan-Ouagadougou route, which has not been running
since 19 September, 2002. This is part of an effort to reverse the
negative economic impact that the crisis is having on Cote d'Ivoire and
its neighbors.

Humanitarian Situation & Response

The UNSG's Humanitarian Envoy for the Crisis in Cote d'Ivoire, Carolyn
McAskie, arrives in Abidjan on 22 April.  During her mission, Ms. McAskie
will meet with senior Government officials and humanitarian stakeholders.
She will also visit affected civilian populations in the west, chair a
regional humanitarian coordination meeting on Monday 28 April, and give
the keynote address during the CAP launch for Cote d'Ivoire and the
Sub-region for 2003 to be held on 29 April in Abidjan.

West

WFP is currently present at the inter-agency UN office in Man, where it is
assessing the humanitarian needs and its strategies for future
interventions in the area, which will include emergency feeding to IDPs
and other food insecure/vulnerable groups affected by the crisis, an
emergency school feeding programme, and a seed protection ration
programme.  They report that the humanitarian situation in Man is "not
bad", with ICRC providing assistance to IDPs, mostly Burkinabe farmers,
through the Ivorian Red Cross and church groups.  MSF-Belgium is providing
medical assistance to both local and displaced populations at Man
Hospital.  Large numbers of children are taking part in educational
activities. MSF-Netherlands has undertaken a vaccination campaign in the
region.  WFP further reports that coffee prices for producers in the
region have plunged, with serious effects on their food security in the
coming months. Food reserves are low in rural areas due to IDP presence in
host families, and the upcoming agricultural season is at risk due to
inadequate seed stocks. WFP staff is lodging at the office premises and
observing an in-house 19:30 curfew. Concerns remain high regarding the
reported militarisation of Nicla refugee camp, where UNHCR and WFP are
assisting over 8,000 particularly vulnerable refugees.  UNHCR is leading
inter-agency efforts to assist IDPs in Guiglo, following a request for
assistance from local authorities.

Health

The Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and UNICEF, launched a
measles vaccination campaign on 16 April in the town of Tiebissou, a
transit and frontline town located at the edge of the forces nouvelles and
loyalist controlled zones.  From 16 through 26 April, some 350,000
children aged 6 to 14 will be immunized through the campaign, which will
cover the area from Yamoussoukro to Bouake.  This is the latest in a
series of immunization campaigns aimed to protect children from the threat
of epidemics.

Food-Security

FAO is aiding some 6,500 vulnerable households through a US$359,000
project that will distribute 145 tonnes of seeds and farming equipment to
aid areas of the country particularly affected by the crisis and with high
concentrations of IDPs.  IDP presence in host families and general food
insecurity in unstable areas has resulted in the consumption of seed
stocks, jeopardizing the next planting, which should already be underway.

Protection

Civilian casualties and wounded, including children, were reported by MSF
and Medecins du Monde following helicopter attacks during the reporting
period.  MSF said in a 17 April statement that at least 50 civilians
claiming to be victims of 15 April attacks on the western towns of Danane
and Mahapleu were treated at the Hospital of Man, and more wounded were
expected. At least eight persons, including three children, died from
their wounds within the hospital compound.  Also on Thursday, 62 people,
45 children and 17 adults, finally arrived in Abidjan several days after
fleeing the Burulli Ulcer Centre in Zouan-Hounien on foot after it came
under attack. Catholic priests treated victims of a disfiguring skin
disease in the western town until the hospital was completely pillaged and
attacked during the reporting period, resulting in the loss of over
US$11,500 in medical supplies and equipment.  MSF denounced the
"non-protection" of civilian populations and medical facilities and
personnel in the current conflict.  MDM reported to AFP that they
initially registered one death and 40 wounded among seemingly civilian
victims at the hospital of Seguela as a result of helicopter attacks on
the town of Vavoua.

In a 14 April letter, Human Rights Watch recommended that the UN Security
Council: call on all parties to the conflict in Cote d'Ivoire to respect
human rights and international humanitarian law regarding treatment of
civilians and other non-combattants; establish a human rights monitoring
mission in the country; call on all states in the region to commit to
returning any individuals indicted by the Special court of Sierra Leone
who flee into their territories, and on all neighboring states, in
particular Guinea, to keep borders open to fleeing civilians; and urge
ECOMICI together with French forces to ensure that civilians are protected
from physical violence in accordance with SC resolution 1464 (2003).

On 14 April, a joint declaration by the EU Presidency on behalf of the
European Union and the United States condemned the forced recruitment of
refugees and civilians, the forced and voluntary recruitment of children,
and the lack of security for humanitarian workers in Liberia and Cote
d'Ivoire. The humanitarian community, including notably UNHCR and UNICEF,
has been vigorously working to bring attention to, and end these illegal
practices in both countries. On 15 April, the UN Security Council issued a
statement echoing these concerns. Members of the Council recalled their
intention to travel in the near future to West Africa, including to Cote
d'Ivoire.

Victorine Wodie, Minister of Human Rights of Cote d'Ivoire, addressed the
UN Commission on Human Rights on 15 April, pointing out that, "The
[Ivorian] Government's policies had demonstrated that it attached great
importance to human rights. Cote d'Ivoire had ratified almost all the
international instruments pertaining to human rights.  In addition, 22
articles of the Constitution were devoted to the promotion and protection
of human rights and fundamental freedoms? It is deplorable that despite
all the efforts to integrate the foreign population in its jurisdiction,
the country is treated as a "Xenophobic State."

Rehabilitation

On 10 April UNDP launched the first activities in favor of IDPs and host
families within the framework of the ABRIS programme (appui à la base pour
la reconstruction/réinstallation et l'intégration sociale) in Yamoussoukro
and Bouafle.  ABRIS aims to support the Government in assisting IDPs and
host families through technical, logistical and financial aid in
responding to the urgent needs of these populations and improving their
living conditions.  Another UNDP project, aimed at building peace and
fostering reconciliation in Cote d'Ivoire, has received Belgian funding of
approximately US$100,000.  The support will allow the Civil Society
Collective for Peace Support Project, an initiative involving religious
leaders, human rights and pro-democracy organizations and others, to
continue conflict resolution efforts underway since 19 September,
originally funded by Canada and the European Union.

Resource Mobilisation

Cote d'Ivoire and the Sub-region - The CAP 2003 Launch is scheduled for 29
April.  On 15 April the UN Security Council stressed again their concern
over the humanitarian situation and called on Member States to respond to
the CAP for Cote d'Ivoire and the Sub-region, so that aid agencies may
bring urgently needed assistance that meets international standards to
those in need.

The latest financial tracking tables can be viewed on-line at any time at
www.reliefweb.int/fts


Information sources include the Integrated Regional Information Network
(IRIN). With the exception of public UN sources, reproduction or
redistribution of the above text, in whole, part or in any form, requires
the prior consent of the original source. This situation report is posted
on www.reliefweb.int, an information resource for humanitarian crises.

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact:

Ms. Besida Tonwe, Head of Office, tel. +225-2240-5175
Mr. Jeff Brez, Information Officer, tel. +225-2240-5174, e-mail:
jeff@ocha.ci


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