OCHA Situation Report No. 12
Coôte d'Ivoir
May 28th - June 15th  2003


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

OVERVIEW

The conflict in Cote d'Ivoire has left hundreds of thousands of people in
situations of physical and psychological insecurity. The reconciliation
process is proving to be cumbersome and slow, and instead of improving,
the humanitarian situation in the country is deteriorating.  Humanitarian
organisations are increasing their assistance week by week, and are still
only able to provide emergency aid to the most vulnerable.  The
agricultural crisis that was predicted is coming to be, and cases of
malnutrition, unheard of in this country of prosperity and bounty,
continue to rise.  Tens of thousands of children are missing out on their
education, and women and children, as always, are bearing the brunt of the
hardship.

The President of the National Assembly and FPI political party hardliner
Mamadou Koulibaly has published a book entitled "France's War Against Cote
d'Ivoire" [unofficial translation].  In the book, he accuses France of
being an accomplice to the rebels, reasserts that the Linas-Marcoussis
Agreement is a constitutional coup, and calls Ivorians to civil
disobedience towards the Forces Nouvelles (MPCI, MJP, MPIGO) ministries.

POLITICAL / MILITARY CONTEXT

National

The UN Security Council on 3 June again stressed its concern at the
humanitarian situation in Cote d'Ivoire.  The Council expressed
satisfaction at the presentation on 28 May to the National Assembly, by
Prime Minister Diarra, of a draft programme for the implementation of the
Linas-Marcoussis Agreement, and welcomed the start of discussions between
FANCI and Forces Nouvelles on arrangements for disarmament.

On Monday 9 June, French troops evacuated 535 foreigners, including UN
staff, from Monrovia to Abidjan.  Upon its arrival in Abidjan on Wednesday
11 June, the UN Liberia Country Team issued a statement thanking Cote
d'Ivoire for its hospitality, to the EU for providing shelter at their
compound in Monrovia for UN and NGO staff, and to the French for
undertaking the evacuation.  All Liberia UN agencies are planning on
remaining temporarily in Abidjan, only UNOL will be based in Accra.

A contingent of about 60 paramilitary gendarmes arrived in Cote d'Ivoire
on Thursday 12 June to beef up the West African peacekeeping force
(MICECI) in the country, where the Forces Nouvelles (MPCI, MPIGO and MJP)
are due to begin the process of disarmament. Some 240 more reinforcements
are expected to support the existing 1,300-strong multi-national force,
comprised of units from Benin, Togo, Niger, Senegal and Ghana.

Security

Abidjan, UN - Phase III. Remainder of Cote d'Ivoire, UN - Phase IV.
Reuters reported a clash between FANCI and Liberian fighters in the
village of Papadougou, near Duekoue, leaving 6 of the Liberians dead.

Access

Due to the continuing rainy season, the construction of appropriate
shelter for refugees has been slowed down in Tabou, and access to some
areas where extremely vulnerable IDPs are believed to be present in the
west is extremely difficult.  Many non-asphalted roads in the west and
southwest are impassible due to thick mud and generally swampy conditions.  
This situation is presenting challenges to the delivery of assistance,
including food aid.  Some remote villages will be unreachable until the
end of the rainy season.

Regional

The UN Security Council discussed on 29 May ways to refine conflict
prevention strategies during a public meeting called to consider
"Conflicts in Africa: Security Council Missions and United Nations
mechanisms to promote peace and security". Ibrahim A. Gambari,
Under-Secretary-General and Special Advisor on Africa, said on West Africa
that the Council should assess the capacity of regional organizations to
participate in operations and seek ways to implement resolution 1366
calling for the enhancement of the capacity for conflict prevention of
regional organizations by extending international assistance.  The UN
Security Council mission to West Africa is expected to arrive in late June
or early July.

The West Africa Regional Technical Assistance Center (West AFRITAC) was
officially inaugurated on 29 May in Bamako, Mali. Through this initiative,
the IMF aims to increase significantly its capacity building assistance to
African governments to formulate and implement their own growth oriented,
poverty reducing policies in the context of their Poverty Reduction
Strategy Papers.

UNSG Kofi Annan attended the Group of Eight - New Partnership for Africa's
Development (NEPAD) dinner in Evian France, on 1 June.  He remarked during
the dinner that the situation in Cote d'Ivoire remains a source of deep
concern, and expressed gratitude at the presence of the French and ECOWAS
peacekeeping troops, adding that UN troops (MINUCI) would arrive shortly.

HUMANITARIAN SITUATION & RESPONSE

REGIONAL

The Cote d'Ivoire - Mali border was reopened the week of 19 May after an
eight-month closure.

At a meeting in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, on 28 May, the ECOWAS
security committee decided to create a rapid response military force to
tackle conflicts in the region.  It also agreed to send more peacekeeping
troops to Cote d'Ivoire.  ECOWAS heads of state articulated a sub-regional
policy towards maintaining peace and security in West Africa.

In a bid to strengthen and support relief response capacity of Red Cross
Societies in the West Africa region, the International Federation has
brought together over 30 Red Cross volunteers and officials in Accra,
Ghana, to create Regional Disaster Response Teams (RDRT).  The Red Cross
volunteers and staff, with experience in the areas of telecommunications,
logistics, information, finance and health were given special training to
prepare them for a possible expanded crisis in West Africa, IRIN reported
on 11 June.

Burkina Faso and Cote d'Ivoire are to set up new surveillance systems on
their common border and intensify patrols by their armies, and French and
West African peacekeepers to enable cross-border road and railway traffic,
which was shut down eight months ago, to resume by 30 June.

NATIONAL

Human Rights

The Ivorian government is to launch an inquiry into human right abuses in
the country, ratify the treaty on the creation of the international court
of justice and improve border security, Prime Minister Seydou Diarra told
parliament on 28 May.  The UN Security Council, he added, would be asked
to provide an international team in the months ahead to help the inquiry.

Education

The Ministry of Education has re-evaluated its earlier decision to declare
the school year null and void for all areas not under Government control
since 19 September.  The Ministry, with the close collaboration of UNICEF
and UNESCO, plans to proceed with the evaluation of all students to
determine whether or not this school year will be validated for them, and
to organize "catch-up" courses for those who do not pass the evaluations,
so that they may proceed with the next year of school in the autumn.  It
is feared that thousands of students will be forced to repeat the year.  
It is critical that a strategy and concrete plan to reinstate public
schooling, including the return of teachers to the north and west, be put
in place to ensure that the fall 2003 school year begins for all students
throughout the country.

UNDP and the Chamber of Commerce of Belgium have combined their efforts in
a joint initiative to allow displaced children located in the Mie N'Gou
reception site in Yamoussoukro to continue and complete the primary school
year.  Around 370 children, including 113 girls, have been taken on by an
educational group based there.  According to the Minister of National
Education, nearly half a million students living in besieged areas will
need exceptional measures to ensure their education.  UNDP, in
collaboration with the French Cooperation, has supported the retraining of
about 800 primary and secondary school teachers who will teach classes for
the second school term that began last January.  In addition, strengthened
UNDP support to school canteens is underway in close cooperation with WFP.

A local NGO reported that the supplement schools for IDP children in the
town of Brobo and surrounding villages are sadly lacking in school
supplies.

Coordination / Data Collection / IDPs

OCHA/CRIH (centre regional des informations humanitaires - HIC) visited
Yamoussoukro on 5 and 6 June, and western/central areas including Guiglo
and Daloa the week of 9 June, in order to introduce a common humanitarian
evaluation form for use by UN agencies, NGOs and local authorities. The
common evaluation form was designed by the Ministry of Solidarity, Health
and Social Welfare in collaboration with the CRIH, UN agencies and NGOs.
The CRIH (HIC) has designed an online system for the submission of these
forms, as well as universal access for all humanitarian partners to the
resulting database.  It is hoped that wide use of the common evaluation
form will streamline response efforts in general, and aid in the
elaboration of a nationwide strategy for the localization of IDPs and the
identification of their needs.  Following the OCHA/UNICEF seminar on IDPs
and Code of Conduct held in May in Abidjan, an ad hoc working group on
IDPs held its first meeting at OCHA on 12 June.  ICRC, OCHA, WFP, and
UNHCR attended.  A separate ad hoc working group will finalise the Code of
Conduct in the coming weeks.

The WAHIMS website (West African Humanitarian Information Management
System) continues to receive mission reports and humanitarian information
from a wide range of humanitarian actors.  The site was designed and is
managed by the OCHA/CRIH (HIC).  If you would like to access the site,
please e-mail ousmane.watt@ocha.ci to receive a password.

West - Security / General

Phase I of a tri-partite security "mop up" operation undertaken by the
FANCI, French Operation Licorne, and MICECI forces has been successfully
completed, with the establishment of a cease-fire line which runs
east-west roughly from the town of Teapleu to the town of BANGOLO.  A map
of the situation is available on WAHIMS.  Phase I has resulted in the
securing of the main routes: Guiglo-Toulepleu, Toulepleu-Danane,
Danane-Man, and Man-Duekoue.  Some resistance was met in Toulepleu where
"LIMA" forces refused to allow the security convoy to enter the town.  
Pockets of uncontrolled, armed elements are also still believed to be
present in more remote areas. Humanitarian organizations have been advised
to begin conducting evaluation missions with caution.  Missions to the
area by UN agencies and NGOs have reported that villages between Guiglo
and Blolequin appear to be deserted, but not damaged.  In the area of
Zouan-Hounien, there were reports of both deserted and destroyed villages,
and a remaining LIMA contingent.  Phase II of the security operation is
underway, and aims to expand an arms-free buffer zone north and south of
the cease-fire line. The Ivorian Red Cross is present in Toulepleu and is
providing medical assistance there.

West - Guiglo Area

The conditions under which IDPs in Guiglo are sheltering remain
sub-standard.  The four sites centres (Town Hall, Prefecture, St. Joseph's
Church, UNHCR transit center) are not large enough for the estimated 8,000
people that are currently receiving protection and assistance there, and
sanitation conditions are deplorable. Further, many of the displaced, the
majority of whom are Burkinabe, are traumatized due to their experiences
in the conflict, and their flight from home and hearth.  There are also
Ivorians and third-country nationals (TCNs) from other West African
countries, including Malians, at the centres.  IDPs continue to arrive in
Guiglo, and despite the "mop up" operations recently undertaken by
Government and peacekeeping forces, most are still wary of returning to
their homes in the west. The UN is continuing efforts to gain
authorization from the local and central Government for the construction
of a new, temporary transit center in Guiglo, mainly to provide adequate
shelter and sanitation facilities.  UNICEF, Merlin, Solidarite (latrines),
UNHCR (electricity), Merlin (Health) and WFP (food) will cooperate in the
construction of the new transit center.

UNICEF has been in the field through the inter-agency sub-office opened
with UNHCR in Guiglo.  UNICEF supplied 5 motor bikes, and to three
different locations, 2,000 medicated mosquito nets, 1,200 floor mats,
1,400 blankets, 2,200 bars of soap, plastic plates and high protein
biscuits. Recreational kits were also provided to serve 1,500 children.  
In Daloa, UNICEF provided medicines that will benefit 200,000 persons. MSF
has opened an office in Guiglo, and is proceeding with a measles
vaccination campaign in town and surrounding villages, which will be
continued in Blolequin. The local Red Cross is distributing non-food items
at all IDP sites. WFP through Solidarites is distributing food.

UNHCR conducted a verification exercise at the NICLA refugee camp outside
the town of Guiglo, Ivory Coast's only "refugee camp".  They have now
established the population to be 4,575.  UNHCR is continuing its efforts,
through consultations with the Government and the international community,
to relocate the camp to another location in Cote d'Ivoire.

Merlin conducted an evaluation in the villages of Kwasiakro and Koudoukou,
some 37 kilometers from the Guiglo - Blolequin route, near the Liberian
border.  They reported that between 1,000 and 1,500 IDPs and Liberian
refugees are present in three villages there.  The IDPs are mainly
Burkinabe, who had fled Cote d'Ivoire, only to be forced back after
violence erupted in eastern Liberia.  The 6 June report also states that
from 200 to 300 people continue to arrive in the area from Liberia each
week.  They cited the main problems as lack of: food, health assistance,
safe drinking water and transportation to Guiglo, where many wished to go.

West - Duekoue

In the three IDP camps in Duekoue, 2,908 IDPs benefited from WFP food
assistance through the NGO Solidarites during the week of 5 - 11 June.
Solidarites is also implementing a new feeding system through canteens in
each of the camps for better managing of food and beneficiary targeting.  
A total of four supplementary feeding centers and one therapeutic feeding
center for malnourished children implemented by WFP and Action Contre la
Faim (ACF) are operational in Duekoue.  From 5 to 11 June some 71 children
were admitted and assisted.

West - Man Area

UNICEF, through its presence at the inter-agency sub-office shared with
WFP, recently provided a supply of medicines for 300,000 persons.  In
Danane, UNICEF is looking to provide psycho-social support to children
affected by the conflict.  From 5 - 11 June WFP provided food to
approximately 16,000 beneficiaries in Man, Danane and Teapleu.  Of those,
11,000 are children receiving school lunches, and 3,000 are children under
5 that are being fed through canteens run by ACF.  WFP has organized
registration of vulnerable IDPs in Man, Danane, Teapleu and Zouan-Hounien
in collaboration with village heads and local partners.

Southwest - Tabou / San Pedro / Grabo Area

As MODEL rebel forces continued their push south in eastern Liberia in
mid-May, residents of the Liberian coastal town of Harper began to flee in
panic. The first crossings of refugees into Cote d'Ivoire were signaled on
the 17th of May.  After the arrival of the rebels in Harper, and
subsequent fighting between Government and rebel forces further north in
the village of Pleebo, refugees continued arriving in Cote d'Ivoire mainly
at crossing points at the river villages of Prollo, Yeouli, Nero, and
Pata-Idie. During the period 17 May to 1 June, some 23,000 Liberian
arrivals were registered by SAARA (the Government refugee assistance
entity).  Possible arrivals at points on the atlantic coast on hired
fishing vessels remain unconfirmed.  Arrivals across the Cavally River
north of the town of Neka are also impossible to confirm, as the area from
Neka north to Tai remains inaccessible to humanitarian organizations.
Dangerous crossings over the deep, swift-flowing Cavally River are made in
dugout canoes. No further influx has been registered as a result of the
current situation in Monrovia.

The UNHCR transit center in Tabou has a capacity of 700, but is currently
hosting well over 2,500 refugees, many of whom have been refugees in Cote
d'Ivoire in the past.  Construction underway to enlarge the site to
accommodate 3,000 people is being slowed by the rainy season.  UNHCR is
discussing plans for the shelter of refugees with local and central
Government authorities, including the possible use of public buildings as
temporary shelter for new arrivals pending the expansion of the transit
centre. Tensions remain palpable in Tabou, and many refugees and third
country nationals are afraid to circulate in the town. UNHCR reports that
the general climate is improving in some areas, however, and that several
communities that were opposed to receiving Liberians are beginning to
accept their presence.  UNHCR has distributed plastic sheeting in host
villages near the border in a bid to ease local tensions.

MSF has mobile medical teams visiting the villages, and reports that the
health situation remains precarious, especially for children.  The
Catholic Mission in Tabou is hosting some 1,200 mostly displaced third
country nationals, the National Red Cross is providing hot meals there.
Approximately 200 - 300 third country nationals were being sheltered at a
community center. Local authorities estimated that some 3,500 IDPs,
including TCNs, were present in the town of Tabou in host family
situations.  WFP has begun food distributions for the new refugee caseload
through CARITAS, and following food-security assessments in San Pedro,
Tabou and Grabo, will begin urgent food assistance in collaboration with
the local Red Cross and the Catholic missions to 11,300 IDPs: 600 families
in San Pedro, 500 in Tabou and 400 in Grabo.  They report that no farming
has taken place this season and that there will be a need to provide seeds
and food through to the next season.  There are increasingly frequent and
alarming reports of unacceptable living conditions of IDP families without
shelter and no access to medical and sanitation facilities in San Pedro.

IOM has registered 1,689 TCNs for voluntary repatriation in Tabou, as of
13 June.  An initial bus convoy with some 405 TCNs departed Tabou on 7
June, transiting through Ghana.  The convoy was escorted by the UN
Civil-Military Coordinator.  A second IOM convoy scheduled to leave Tabou
on 12 June was postponed due to a weakened bridge caused by the torrential
rains.  WFP has provided four days worth of high energy biscuits to TCNs
in Tabou, and provided two weeks worth of dry rations to 500 Guineans
whose voluntary repatriation has been postponed. IOM continues to provide
registration, medical screening and pre-embarkation assistance to TCNs who
are asking for repatriation assistance.  From 7 to 13 June IOM has
registered 235 TCNs who have walked to Tabou from areas further north, or
who have managed to cross the Cavally River, or brave the Atlantic
crossing from Liberia.  All of the TCNs are currently sheltered in the
Catholic Mission, in community centers and with host families in and
around Tabou.

IRC undertook an exploratory mission to Tabou from 24 to 29 April, to
investigate the health situation. They reported that 10 out of 16 public
health care facilities were not functioning in Tabou District, and that
all of the health facilities in the sub-prefecture of Grabo were closed.
Vaccinations had also ceased in Grabo sub-prefecture since the area became
embroiled in violence several months ago.  According to the mission
report, local authorities roughly estimated that some 30,000 IDPs were
present in the districts of Tabou and Grabo, as of end April.

North - Korhogo Area

Coordination meeting minutes dated 27 May, and provided by WFP, report
that MSF-Belgium, the Ivorian National Red Cross, the NGOs PSCD,
Cause-Canada, Animation Rurale de Korhogo (ARK), and Animation Rurale de
Napie (ARN), as well as three catholic churches (Don Bosco, Haoussabougou,
Fatima), are engaged in bringing health assistance to the vulnerable in
Korhogo and villages in the area.  Activities include the provision of
basic health care, hygiene, HIV/AIDS and STD education, vaccination
campaigns, and basic medical supplies.  UNICEF and MSF-B have provided
medicines to the health centers at the catholic churches.  More help is
needed for breastfeeding mothers who do not produce enough milk to feed
their babies.

The catholic churches are working with the "Ecole pour Tous" (School for
Everyone) programme to keep children in school environments.  According to
the 27 May meeting minutes, some 5,000 students are involved in the
programme, which has received some support from UNICEF.

WFP, through various partners and programmes, including Food For Work, the
National Red Cross and the NGO ARK have been engaged in providing
emergency food relief to the most vulnerable. The WFP sub-office receives
new requests for food aid continually in the area.  Food insecurity
continues to rise, as do cases of malnutrition. It is hoped that with the
support of FAO, through upcoming agricultural assistance, and CARE
International, as well as other partners, this trend can be reversed.  
WFP reports that the north is currently in the midst of the planting
season, and many people are working on their farms.  The situation in
terms of sanitation is appalling in Korhogo, especially in all public
places such as markets and slaughterhouses that have not been cleaned
since the crisis.  ARK is considering taking action with support from WFP.  
WFP also report considerable inflation in the prices of some produce.  
WFP delivered food for the first time to Koni and Komborodougou village
health centers, which will enable them to set up therapeutic and
supplementary feeding programmes for 205 malnourished children and 231
adults.

WFP will soon begin distributions to vulnerable IDPs in Odienne
(northwestern Cote d'Ivoire) in collaboration with AFRICARE.

Humanitarian coordination meetings are held once a month in Korhogo. WFP
is the holds the secretariat.

Central Areas

WFP reported that the need for food and medical assistance is increasing
among the group of 9,000 vulnerable IDPs in buffer zone towns including
Bedialla, Zahibo, Gamina, Belle Ville, Bobonoussoko, Bonoufla and Duekoue.
Thousands of IDPs and vulnerable host families are seeking food assistance
in Daloa city and surrounding villages.  WFP continues to support an
estimated 30,000 IDPs in the central region, most of whom live with host
families.  WFP-Yamoussoukro has been working closely with partners on the
ground to better target the most vulnerable IDPs.

RESOURCE MOBILISATION

The ICRC appealed on 10 June for an additional 4.9 million Swiss Francs to
boost its operations in Cote d'Ivoire and a further 2.35 million francs
for its activities in Liberia.

IRIN reported that ECOWAS is looking to donors for nearly US$40 million to
double or even triple the size of its peacekeeping force (MICECI) in Cote
d'Ivoire.

In the Africa Action Plan : UK Progress Report issued by DFID, it is
reported that Britain contributed £2 million to facilitate Ghana's
participation in the MICECI.

The funding level for the CAP increased by only one percent during the
reporting period.

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


distributed by
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International                  web: www.cidi.org
    Disaster Information             listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
comments/suggestions/requests to incident@cidi.org