OCHA Situation Report No. 8
Cote d'Ivoire
17 - 26 June 2005


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

I. Key political and security highlights

On Friday 24 June 2005, the Security Council extended the mandate of the
United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and of the French
peacekeeping forces, which support it, for a period of seven months
until 24 January 2006. Unanimously adopting resolution 1609 (2005) and
acting under Chapter VII of the Charter, the Council also authorized,
for this next period, an increase in the mission's military component of
up to 850 additional personnel, as well as an increase in the civilian
police component of up to a ceiling of 725 civilian police personnel,
and the necessary additional civilian personnel. The Council also
outlined the mission's mandate, which involves, among other things,
monitoring of the cessation of hostilities and movements of armed
groups, including monitoring the implementation of the joint declaration
of the end of the war of 6 April 2005 and of the comprehensive ceasefire
agreement of 3 May 2003. The mission will also support the Government of
National Reconciliation in the implementation of the national programme
for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of combatants,
paying special attention to the specific needs of women and children, as
well as assist with the disarmament and dismantling of militias.

In the western region, the security situation is still volatile despite
the announcement by the President to appoint a military governor for the
Cavally region (west of the country) and military district commissioner.
The Forces Nouvelles' statement not to disarm on the 27 June 2005 as
outlined in the Pretoria Accords has also created doubts on the status
of the peace process.  Persistent rumours mention the alleged presence
of mercenaries, the military reinforcement of troops and equipment on
both sides of the zone of confidence by the belligerents. Meanwhile, the
Attorney General of Daloa carried out an investigation in the villages
of Dahipahi and Kazadikro, in the department of Duekoue, to investigate
further into origin of the two mass graves discovered by the security
forces in these two localities. These deaths occurred as a result of the
June attacks on the villages surrounding Duekoue. Seventeen (17) people
were arrested and transferred to Daloa and are under investigation.

On Wednesday 22 June 2005, unidentified persons attacked a truck
transporting cocoa in the locality of Gozon, located in the zone of
confidence at the South of Bangolo and the East of Gueyebly on the road
of Gueyebly-Zou passing through Kahen. The driver of the vehicle and
passengers were able to flee.  Meanwhile, in the night from 18 to 19
June 2005, two people, one Baoule and another from the Yacouba
community, were killed in the villages of Nzuekro and Bohosoukro, 8 km
from Guitrozon.

In Man, the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN) have instructed
all their sectors commanders to promote social cohesion and peaceful
cohabitation between communities in their respective areas. On 18 June
2005, the women of the We community and those of other communities
participated in a meeting within the framework of strengthening social
cohesion and combating any form of intoxication and discrimination
within and amongst communities.

On Monday 20 June 2005, the World Refugee Day was celebrated in Guiglo,
on the topic "the courage of the refugee".  During the ceremony
organized by UNHCR in the Liberian refugee camp of Nicla Peace town, the
spokesman of the refugees reiterated their wish to be relocated to
another host country. They claim that returning to Liberia is premature
because of lack of security and request to be settled in a third
country.  In Abidjan, at a ceremony chaired by the Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Mr. Bamba said that his country would continue to offer asylum
to refugees. Meanwhile, UNHCR in collaboration with its operational
partners (GTZ, ASA, SAARA and CARITAS) prepared this week the voluntary
repatriation of a hundred of Liberian refugees from Tabou, Blolequin and
Danane.

II. Humanitarian Situation

Movement of Internally displaced persons (IDPs)

According to the social service of the Armed forces of the "Forces
Nouvelles" (FAFN), 226 internally displaced persons (IDPs) coming from
Duekoue were recorded in the north-western city of Touba in the
department of Touba. These people, who need assistance, arrived at Touba
aboard private vehicles and are living with host families.

Water and Sanitation

>From 13 to 21 June 2005, the western town of Man was without water when
two water pumps provided by SODECI, the private water company, were
damaged by lightning.  Only one pump out of three is operational.
Since 21 June 2005, the French peacekeeping forces temporarily equipped
the SODECI with two (2) generators, which enabled the re-establishment
of the water supply.  The re-establishment of the power line and the
repair of the two (2) pumps of SODECI is a priority for Man.  UNOCI
peacekeeping forces provided the displaced site of the "Palais de
Justice" of Man with potable water by a tanker of 1000 liters. There are
about 500 IDPs on site.

UNICEF fielded a mission to Duekoue to assess the needs in the water
sector, particularly the repair of water pumps.  In light of the
prevailing security conditions, repairs will be considered only in the
villages where the protection of the populations is guaranteed by local
authorities or impartial forces (zone of confidence). UNICEF plans to
carry out these projects in partnership with local NGOs ASAPSU and ONEF.
Meanwhile, OIM and UNICEF provided support to empty out the latrines of
all the displaced sites of Duekoue (catholic mission, town hall, social
center).  This was possible after the repair of the sanitation truck.

On Friday 24 June 2005, the NGO "Solidarites" fielded a mission to the
north to assess the situation of water for possible interventions in
Korhogo and Odienne. After the meeting with SODECI (Water supply
company), the ICRC and NGO "ARK" (Animation Rurale Korhogo), and OCHA
Field Officer, "Solidarites" is planning to take over the provision of
water supply in Korhogo, before SODECI starts providing water from the
dam.

Health, incl. Nutrition and HIV/AIDS

There is an increase of cases of malnutrition, at the therapeutic
nutritional centre of MSF-F in Guiglo, from 51 cases in April, to 61
cases in May and 81 cases in June 2005. In April 2005, the cases coming
from Duekoue represented 8 % of the admissions in the therapeutic
nutritional centre, as of 25 June 2005 they represent 40 % of cases.
This increase is an indicator on the food security of children in
Duekoue.  Internally displaced persons living in host families for a
long period of time should be targeted because these host families are
becoming more and more vulnerable.

CARE International organized in Korhogo a programme review workshop on
people living with HIV/AIDS. The Ministry for Health, the Ministry of
Solidarity, UNDP Global fund, NGOs and WFP/Korhogo participated in this
workshop. CARE International has run out of funds so it has called upon
donors, as well as the network of People living with HIV/AIDS of Cote
d'Ivoire and the NGO "Alliance" to take part in this workshop. On 29
June 2005 in Bouake, the steering committee of CARE International
HIV/AIDS project in emergency will carry out a campaign of sensitisation
for peer educators on the following topics:  modes of contamination,
modes of prevention of sexually transmitted Disease (STDs) and HIV/AIDS,
the consequences of ill-treated STDs, the use of the condom, the
prevention of the mother to child transmission, Islam and AIDS, the
Church and AIDS and the acceptance of HIV/AIDS patient.

Protection

The return of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their secured
districts and villages is a priority, especially in the area of Duekoue.
The humanitarian coordination meeting held on 21 June 2005 in Duekoue,
recommended local authorities to encourage the return of IDPs to their
areas of residence where security is guaranteed.  A census of remaining
IDPs on various sites is underway.

>From 20 to 30 June 2005, within the framework of its protection
activities, Save the Children-Sweden in collaboration with three local
NGO's, is carrying out an assessment on sexual violence and exploitation
of women and children in five districts of the city and four villages of
Bouake.  The purpose of this assessment is to have better understanding
of sexual violence and exploitation issue in order to develop strategies
for appropriate response with the participation of the concerned
communities.

Education

In the western region the end-year exams began with the "Baccalaureat"
(end of secondary school exam). The three examination centres selected
are Tai, Duekoue and Guiglo. The 300 candidates were present and the
school administration confirmed that the exams were taken in a secured
environment.

Food Security

In Man, WFP in partnership with ACF (Action contre la Faim) provided 500
families located at the displaced site of the "Palais de Justice" with
20,8 tons of food (corn, rice, bean, oil and salt) while ICRC
distributed non-food items.

This week in Seguela, located in the zone of confidence, the schools
were provided with food assistance by WFP. Food for work rations were
also given to the volunteer teachers that keep the schools open in the
absence of civil servants.

WFP and FAO finished the phase of identification of beneficiaries for
the agricultural programme in Duekoue.  It will only assist those who
return to their secured villages and they will benefit from agricultural
activities (swamp rice, maize and market-gardening seeds).

Humanitarian Coordination

>From 22 to 25 June 2005, OCHA/Bouake sub-office facilitated a joint
mission comprised of Gender, DDR, HIV/AIDS divisions of UNOCI and UNDP
post-crisis unit in Bouake, - a "Forces Nouvelles" controlled town in
the centre of Cote d'Ivoire - to identify women who directly or
indirectly participated in the armed conflict in Cote d'Ivoire, to
collect social and economical information in order to recommend relevant
actions for their social reinsertion.

III. Resources Mobilisation (As of Friday 24 June 2005 according to FTS)

No new contributions reported on the Financial Tracking Service

IV. Upcoming events

29 June: Launch of Mid-Year Review CAP 2005 in Geneva

11 July: International Population Day

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