Cote d'Ivoire - OCHA-35: 14-Dec-04
OCHA Situation Report No. 35
Cote d'Ivoire
1 - 14 December 2004
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
1. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS/HIGHLIGHTS
The African Union mediator, Thabo Mbeki, conducted his second mission to
Cote d'Ivoire from the 3rd - 6th December. Mbeki met with President
Gbagbo, the Prime Minister and opposition party leaders on the 3rd
December and travelled to Bouake on the 5th December to meet with the
Forces Nouvelles (FN). Mbeki secured agreement on the adoption of
legislative reforms, commencement of DDR, reestablishment of the
Government of National Reconciliation, the restoration of law and order
and the start of joint FANCI/UNOCI patrols. While the UN SG, Kofi Annan,
welcomed the agreement reached, he emphasised the need for a detailed
program of action and time frame for the implementation of these
commitments. The draft law for the revision of article 35 was brought
before the National Assembly on the 10th December and adopted with an
amendment stating that a referendum had to follow.
The exams for student in the FN-controlled North continue to be suspended
as the Ministry of Education remains reluctant to proceed with the
organisation of the exams while there is no disarmament and the security
of the teachers can not be guaranteed. It is feared that this will not
only rollback efforts made during the 2004 school year, but also the 2005
school year, which is scheduled to commence on the 3rd January.
Over 2000 IDPs have gathered in the villages of Prikro and M'Bahiakro
situated within the zone of confidence following attacks by the FN in
November. There have been reports from civilians' accusing both sides to
the conflict of summary executions, harassments and extortions, which has
led people from villages in the West and East of the confidence zone to
seek safety in larger towns.
The African Union -Peace and Security Council- has decided to postpone the
meeting on the crisis in Cote d'Ivoire scheduled for the 10. December,
until the 10th January.
The UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire has confirmed that the Secretary
General's Special Representative, Albert Tevoedjre, has submitted his
resignation, in a letter dated November 24. He will stay on the job until
end of January.
Opposition newspapers came back in circulation on the 2nd December,
however they continue to be destroyed and pulled of the stands. The
newpapers were completely out of circulation throughout November after
having been subjected to vandalism and threats.
2. POLITICAL SITUATION & SECURITY AND ACCESS
The situation in Cote d'Ivoire remains tense despite the mediation efforts
of Thabo M'beki. The media continues to transmit strong anti-French
messages and there is very cautious optimisms that true progress will be
made on implementation of the Linas Marcoussis and Accra III accords as
outlined by the African Union's mediator.
The French Defense Minister, Michele Alliot-Marie, confirmed that French
troops did open fire on civilians on four separate occasions during the
height of the conflict. The Defence Minister however underlined that it
was done in legitimate self-defense, and in the framework of protecting
civilians and evacuating foreign national from Abidjan. The French
Government estimates that around 20 Ivorians were killed, while Ivorian
authorities indicate that around 57 people were killed.
The Ivorian authorities have demanded that an independent international
investigation is made into the events of November, particularly to
determine the circumstances that led to the destruction of the Ivorian
small airforce caused by the French military. The Ivorian ambassador to
the UN in New York, Phillippe Djangone-Bi has also requested that the
5,000 French soldiers are fully integrated into the UNOCI military
contingent.
Charles Ble Goude, the leader of the Jeunes Patriotes called upon his
supporters for a mass demonstration on Saturday, 11th December, to demand
the departure of the French peacekeeping contingent. The demonstration was
however called off the day before following a statement given by the
Spokesman of the President on the 10th December, banning demonstrations in
Abidjan until 15 March in compliance with an agreement made during Mbeki's
mediation mission.
The Humanitarian Coordinator has addressed a letter to the General Force
Commander of ONUCI, General Fall, requesting for an extension of the
patrols in the West to also cover the tense zones of Duekoue-Toulepleu,
Duekoue-Man, Man-Danane, Zouan-Hounien-Bin-Houye and Bin-Houye-Toulepleu.
The letter was followed up by a note prepared by OCHA for the meeting of
West African UN missions held in Dakar on the 1st December, emphasising
the need to reinforce border controls for an improved protection of
civilians and registration of population movements.
During the rapid assessment missions conducted in the West and North it
was noted that local populations and humanitarian actors have suffered
from a general lack of respect for international humanitarian law by the
belligerents and that there is a general demand for reinforced security
and protection, particularly within the zone of confidence.
During the last few months there have been reports of registration at the
refugee camp and the alleged re-opening of a training camp for youths in
Blolequin. Meanwhile, ONUCI and FANCI have been conducting mixed patrols
around the Refugee transit camp and IDP centre in Guiglo to reinforce the
protection and security of the vulnerable populations residing there.
FANCI has also appointed a liaison officer to ensure the interface between
the military and humanitarian actors, which will facilitate an exchange of
information and their cooperation in granting access to certain areas.
3. HUMANITARIAN SITUATION & RESPONSE
3.1 Coordination
The Humanitarian Coordinator gave a press conference on the 2nd December
together with the information officers of WFP, UNICEF, UNESCO, UNFPA and
WHO. During the conference, the HC underlined that the redeployment of
civil servants to the North and West, particularly within the health and
education sectors was instrumental in order to come out of the
humanitarian crisis. The HC warned that while the humanitarian crisis
could not be compared to that of Darfur, Sudan, it remained alarming and
that all indicators point towards an increase of the humanitarian needs in
2005. It was also mentioned that the crisis in Cote d'Ivoire has led to an
increase in the poverty rate from 38% in 2002 to 44% in 2004.
The reports of the four inter-agency rapid assessment missions conducted
in Guiglo, Korhogo, Bouake and Abidjan in November have been consolidated.
Some of the main concerns were within the sectors of protection, health
and nutrition, water and sanitation and education. The assessments have
been integrated into an addendum to the CAP 2005.
UNICEF is exploring the possibility of opening an office in Korhogo, which
will allow them to better identify the needs of children within the
sectors of health, education and protection and provide a more coordinated
response together with other partners in the northern zone.
3.2 Protection/ Human Rights
Save the Children-Swesen has prepared a report on the destruction of
poorer neighbourhoods in Abidjan in 2004. Between August and November
2004, around 11,000 people have had their homes destroyed by Government
officials for security or health reasons, adding to the approximate 20,000
who were made homeless between 2002 and 2003. The situation is
particularly worrisome as a large number of IDPs, who are already
vulnerable, were sheltered in these areas. The World Bank was planning to
build homes for 10,000 of the homeless; however the project has been
suspended given the suspension of all WB funds to the country. Apart from
lack of shelter the people suffer from lack of food, increased exposure to
disease, lack of clean water and sanitation and protection, as these
people still remain the target of organised patrols and continue to be
subjected and exposed to harassment, violence, extortion and sexual abuse.
While various humanitarian organisations, community organisations and
social centres have provided some assistance and support, there is still a
need to advocate against the further destruction of homes and for the
construction or location of new homes, while ensuring access to basic
social services and reinforcing the security and protection of the
vulnerable populations.
|----------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------|
| | | | | |
| Commune |Neighbourhood | Area | Date of | Number of |
| | | | Destruction | Victims |
|----------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------|
| | | | | |
| Yopougon |Andokoi Depot | 19 ha | 10/08/04 | 10,000 |
| | 3 | | | |
|----------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------|
| | | | | |
| Cocody | Wassa | NA | 02/10/04 | 78 |
| | | | | (households) |
|----------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------|
| | | | | |
| Yopougon |Gesco Geobeton|52 Households | 20/10/04 | 500 |
|----------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------|
| | | | | |
|----------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------|
Source: Save The Children -Sweden, -Synthese de la destruction des
quartiers precaires en 2004-
3.3 Population Movements (refugees, IDPs, returnees)
The events in November have brought about new displacements, internal as
well as across borders, with humanitarian agencies and organisations
providing prompt assistance.
A Catholic mission situated in Prikro, East of Bouake, within the Zone of
Confidence (ZOC), has informed the humanitarian community, that since 22nd
November around 2500 internally displaced people (IDPs) have gathered in
Prikro and M'Bahiakro following attacks by the Force Nouvelles in early
November. The humanitarian needs are within the sectors of health, water
and sanitation, food and shelter.
OCHA Bouake, UNICEF and WFP carried out an assessment mission on the 10th
December and confirmed that there are 1,234 IDPs in Prikro and 1,224 in
M'Bahiakro. There is not enough food and malnutrition is a concern.
Several are suffering from diarrhoeic diseases due to the lack of clean
water and sanitation and there is one reported case of measles. UNICEF
will commence vaccination and the distribution of medicines on the 15th
December and ICRC will distribute non-food items and supply water
purification tablets. WFP are currently reviewing the possibility of
providing food assistance. The assistance is scheduled to last for 3
months. OCHA will continue to ensure the coordination of activities, while
bringing the security and protection issues to the attention of FAFN,
FANCI and ONUCI.
The international NGO, Enfance Meurtie Sans Frontiere (EMSF) has noted an
increase in the number of IDPs coming to Abobo in Abidjan from Bouake
(over 5,000 IDPs). EMSF reports that host families are becoming
increasingly over-burdened and that some have had to turn away IDPs in
need of assistance. EMSF has provided some psycho-medical assistance as
well as food and non-food assistance to the IDPs in this area. EMSF has
also encouraged the local schools to accept IDPs into the classes. EMSF is
currently seeking for funds to continue with their activities.
On Monday 6th December, UNHCR started a two-day verification exercise of
registered Ivorian refugees in north-eastern Liberia. Over 10,000 Ivorian
refugees fled from western Cote d'Ivoire to Liberia in mid November; many
of these have started to return. In Butuo, Liberia, the largest influx
area, where 7,000 refugees had been registered, UNHCR reported that few
turned up for the registration process, however some refugee families said
many are shuttling between Butuo and Cote d'Ivoire as they continue to
fear potential clashes between the Ivorian government and rebel troops.
Other agencies have also reported that many of the Ivorian who have fled
have returned to Cote d'Ivoire.
The lack of basic infrastructure remains the greatest challenge for
humanitarians. The World Food Programme has airlifted food supplies in
Butuo, for dispatch to the other refugee locations. UNHCR and its
partners, in an effort to improve food delivery, are repairing roads,
which are currently impassable for trucks.
IOM has registered the arrival of another 33 families from around Bin
Houye at the IDP transit centre in Guiglo. There are now over 6,000 IDPs
at the centre.
3.4 Health
Following the electricity and water cuts during the month of November a
considerable amount of vaccines were lost due to the lack of alternative
energy sources for cold chain equipments. It is estimated that 80% of the
health centres were affected by this problem.
The Ministry of Health has decided to reschedule polio NIDs for Cote
d'Ivoire for February 2005, to coincide with regional syncronized NIDs,
the campaign was originally planned to take place this month. The campaign
in November was cancelled due to the crisis. Two UNICEF social
mobilisation consultants have returned from relocation in Mali to continue
their work with partners in Cote d'Ivoire. 17 cases of polio have been
confirmed this year to date in Cote d'Ivoire.re are still no definitive
dates set for the next round of polio vaccines scheduled for December.
The measles campaigns scheduled to be coupled with the polio campaign
nationwide has been definitively postponed to 2005. Fortunately UNICEF was
able to reach over 1.5 million children during their last campaign from
April 2003- June 2004, which has led to a decrease in the number of
measles cases in 2004 compared to 2003.
During the crisis in November, the suspension of the local authorities'
salaries led to the suspension of all street cleaning activities and
therefore the accumulation of garbage in the streets, increasing the
spread of diseases and affecting the daily health of local populations in
many large cities.
ICRC and UNICEF have noted a decrease in the number of visitors at the
health centres around the northern border of the confidence zone. There is
some concern that this could cause a general deterioration of the state of
health of the populations in this zone. Villagers have stated that they
feel insecure and unprotected and therefore unwilling to travel to the
health centres. The same phenomenon was noted by MSF in the West.
MSF Belgium, will be winding down their activities in Korhogo from the
15th December, as the local health authorities with support from the
UNICEF programme will gradually be redeployed.
UNICEF in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the local NGO
Lumiere Action, has started a training programme for educators on HIV/AIDs
in primary schools, which will last until the 15th December and will
target 90 primary schools in Abobo, Abidjan. Some 540 children and 90
teachers will benefit from the programme.
3.5 Water and Sanitation
A water and sanitation assessment mission, conducted by UNICEF, to the
North concluded that the supply situation of potable water is not alarming
in the areas visited (Bouake, Korhogo and Man). This is dependent ,
however, on the supply of electricity and water from SODECI, from the
government controlled South. If this supply should be cut off for a
considerable length of time, the situation would deteriorate drastically.
In villages, some 70% of pumps remain out of order, which is a concern to
be addressed. A full mission report with recommendations is available.
3.6 Education
The academic year 2004 for primary and secondary schools in the North may
be jeopardised if the Ministry of Education continues to refuse to
organise exams. During his mission, President Thabo Mbeki also advocated
for children's right to an education and the need to redeploy
administration in the North and West. On his visit to Bouake Mbeki
stated, -We agree that whether they are from the south, north, the east or
the west, the children of this country have the right to education and
must not be victims of a political crisis.
The head of the OCHA office met with the Minister of Education (MOE),
while the Humanitarian Coordinator met with the Prime Minister last week
to discuss the organisation of exams in the North in December. However,
the Minister of Education clearly stated that there would be no exams or
academic school year in the FN areas until the country is reunified.
In Bouake, the teachers association for the FN-controlled zone
(Coordination du personnel de l'enseignement en zones ex-assiegees) issued
a statement addressed to the Ministry of Education and the National
Government of Reconciliation, calling upon them that all efforts should be
made to ensure the organisation of exams before the end of December. In
Korhogo, students, teachers and parents held demonstrations expressing
concern over the postponements of the school year-end exams.
The local NGO Ecole Pour Tous, has prepared a report providing strong
arguments for the organisation of exams in 2004. The local NGO underlines
that the effort and resources that have been successfully put into the
education sector in the North during 2004 should not be wasted. In
comparison to last year 180.000 more students attended school and there
are now almost three times as many candidates for the final exams this
year. The NGO also highlighted that over 5000 teachers were successfully
redeployed to the North in 2004 and that this trend should continue.
|------------------+-----------+-----------+----------|
| Students | | | |
| Attending School | | | |
|------------------+-----------+-----------+----------|
| | | | |
| Year | 2002-2003 | 2003-2004 | Change |
|------------------+-----------+-----------+----------|
| | | | |
| Primary School | 185.849 | 359.891 | +174.042 |
|------------------+-----------+-----------+----------|
| | | | |
| Secondary School | 45.375 | 57.799 | +12.424 |
|------------------+-----------+-----------+----------|
| TOTAL | 231.224 | 417.688 | +186.464 |
|------------------+-----------+-----------+----------|
Source: DREN, Ecole Pour Tous
UNICEF in collaboration with local NGOs (IDA, ODAFEM, Scouts, RSB and
BICE) is conducting training sessions for the sensitization of youths and
ex-child soldiers in the towns of Danane, Man, Biankouma, Yamoussoukro,
Bouna; Bouake and Nassian. A total of 500 youth peer trainers are being
trained to sensitize some 20,000 youth and adolescents. The programme will
end on the 15th December.
3.7 Food Aid/ Food Security/ Agriculture
WFP conducted a mission to western CDI, near the Liberian border, to
evaluate the humanitarian situation and the movement of Ivorians seeking
refuge in Liberia. The mission found that there is no major and immediate
impact on the population's food security in the area, given the ongoing
harvest. However insecurity, the lack of traders and difficult access in
the area may affect the marketability of the cash crops, which could
impact negatively on the population's food security. Some of the displaced
also reported that their food stocks had been stolen while they were away.
WFP has started to distribute food aid to outlying areas of Korhogo, the
majority of the distributions are destined to supplementary feeding
programs for malnourished children.
In the North farmers are expressing concern over the poor harvest due to
the lack of rain. WFP has received an increase in requests for food aid.
The local NGO ARK, conducted a rapid assessment mission to the districts
of Korhogo, Bouna and Ferkessedougou in November and confirmed that the
lack of rains has had a detrimental impact on food production. Farmers
have only been able to harvest half of the stock that they achieved last
year. In some areas the prices of food have also increased dramatically,
in Nielle a sac of rice, which cost 2,500 CFA last year now costs 6,000
CFA. The poor harvest and high prices for food could lead to further
poverty for households in the North and potential food insecurity. FAO is
planning a crop assessment mission in January 2005.
WFP Food Distribution
(1st -7th December)
|-------------+---------+--------------------+--------------|
| Areas | | Activities |Beneficiaries |
|-------------+---------+--------------------+--------------|
| South | Tabou |Refugees in camps | 3485 |
|-------------+---------+--------------------+--------------|
| Northern | Korhogo |Emergency School | 450 |
| | |Feeding | |
|-------------+---------+--------------------+--------------|
| | |Patients in Social | 305 |
| | |Institutions | |
|-------------+---------+--------------------+--------------|
| | |Therapeutic feeding | 211 |
|-------------+---------+--------------------+--------------|
| | |Mother and Child | 904 |
| | |health | |
|-------------+---------+--------------------+--------------|
| | |People living with | 300 |
| | |HIV/AIDS | |
|-------------+---------+--------------------+--------------|
| | |Supplementary | 1631 |
| | |feeding | |
|-------------+---------+--------------------+--------------|
| | |Food for Training | 350 |
|-------------+---------+--------------------+--------------|
| | |Food for Work | 8155 |
|-------------+---------+--------------------+--------------|
| Western | Guiglo |IDPs in Camps | 3374 |
|-------------+---------+--------------------+--------------|
| | |Refugees in camps | 7077 |
|-------------+---------+--------------------+--------------|
| | |PLWA/ HIV | 225 |
|-------------+---------+--------------------+--------------|
|TOTAL | | | 26467 |
|BENEFICIARIES| | | |
|-------------+---------+--------------------+--------------|
Source: WFP weekly situation report 1 - 7 December 2004
Information sources include the Integrated Regional Information Network
(IRIN). With the exception of public UN sources, reproduction or
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resource for humanitarian crises.
For further information, please do not hesitate to contact:
Ms. Besida Tonwe, Head of Office
Ms. Carina M Sugden, Public Information Officer
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