côte d’ivoire situation update civ+5 unhcr g.gordon...

Main Highlights on Côte d’Ivoire Over the past few days, the situation has conside-rably deteriorated in western Côte d’Ivoire and in Abobo, one of Abidjan’s most populated neighborhoods, where clashes have blocked access for humanitarian organiza-tions and brought the country perilously close to civil war.

On 2nd March, RFI mentioned that tensions are still ongoing in Grand-Bassam in the eastern part of Abidjan and that the Young Patriots are setting up numerous checkpoints looking for Ouattara’s supporters, whom they consider “rebels”. RFI stated that fighting has also been reported in Yopougon and Koumassi in the south. On the other hand, Reuters confirmed on 2nd March that while Abobo has been the main theater of violence, fighting has also been heard in Koumassi, where militaries are looking for “rebels infiltrated in the district”.

On 1st March the Associated Press reported that several dozen people have been killed over the past week in bloody clashes, quoting inhabitants who stated that “we were fleeing the smell of the dead”.

On 26th February the pro-Gbagbo Radio Television Ivoirienne (RTI) characterized ONUCI as using helicop-ters to attack the Ivorian people. In addition, RTI regularly broadcasts declarations against western countries, France in particular, that have been supporting the election of Ouattara.

On 25th February, the BBC’s West Africa correspondent Thomas Fessy said that even if the number of people

killed is difficult to evaluate during the gun battles, Abobo is now the scene of daily bloodshed.

RFI radio has reported that the deadline for Heads of State of the AU panel to come up with “binding” resolu-tions is now extended for an additional month. “In view of the complexity of the situation, the Heads of State need more time to come up with resolutions”.

It is reported that some gas stations have run out of supplies and closed.

Main Highlights on Liberia The events of 24th February in Côte d’Ivoire resulted in a drastic increase in the influx rate. UNHCR immediately suspended individual registration to adapt to the requirements of the emergency and switched to a rapid emergency registration system.

As a result of the new influx the assistance strategy has been revised and immediate assistance in terms of health, water, sanitation, food and shelter is being provided.

The latest information received from the Côte d’Ivoire side indicates that the West is one of the main front lines and that if the situation worsens, refugees will continue to flee to Liberia. Therefore the Contingency Planning is under revision to plan for 250,000 persons, while other potential sites for camps and host communities are being identified.

In Brief...

Côte d’Ivoire Situation

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

update CIV+5

UN

HC

R G

.GO

RD

ON

–LI

BE

RIA

/MA

RC

H.

11

In Brief... • Fierce fighting in Abidjan brings the country perilously close to civil war; • Some 200,000 Ivorians estimated displaced from Abobo; • The events of 24th February in Côte d’Ivoire resulted in a drastic change

in the influx rate into Liberia. UNHCR immediately suspended individual registration to switch to a rapid emergency registration system;

Regional Office in Dakar, Senegal l 4th March 2011 l For external use

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Côte d’Ivoire Situation update CIV+5

Humanitarian Challenges and Response

LIBERIA

As of 23rd February, 39,784 people had been registered. However with the 24th February influx following fierce fighting in western Côte d’Ivoire near Touleupleu, it is estimated that an additional 32,000 refugees have arrived. Some refugees from this new influx might have come to Liberia earlier and registered before returning to Côte d’Ivoire to check on their properties. The exact figure of refugees will be confirmed once refugees have been trans-ferred away from the border.

In Bahn Camp, 496 refugees have been registered, and the pace of transfers to Bahn is accelerating.

Protection Several main protection challenges remain: (1) Registration and documentation of a very mobile popu-lation next to porous borders; (2) Border monitoring along a conflict zone while security of the area is yet to be strengthened; (3) Field protection with the vast majority of the refugee population scattered in host communities; (4) Dealing with vulnerabilities in an environment already characterized by limited access to basic services for local populations.

Education Save the Children (UK) distributed school bags to over 125 refugee children as a donation from UNICEF to en-hance learning conditions. Six teachers have been identi-fied among the refugees.

Site Planning Bahn Camp ACF has started awareness and sensitization campaigns on sanitation and hygiene in the camp. A school is being built by Save the Children. On 28th February a coordination meeting was held with NRC, Save the Children, LRRRC, ACF, EPA, MSF, WFP, ICRC/LRC and UNHCR to present a transfer strategy, including technical issues, to be imple-mented at transit shelters.

Garwee Camp Acceleration of construction of the camp is ongoing with an initial planning figure of 15,000 individuals. The camp will have an emergency component (communal transit shelters and emergency sanitation) and a long-term com-ponent (refugees will construct their shelter on the plots allocated to them). UNMIL is helping with the rehabilitation of the access road. NRC will be involved in shelter and

camp management, IRC in health issues, and Oxfam with Water and Sanitation.

Buutuo Axis ICRC has started to set up a water system in Buutuo centre for 5,000 individuals to provide water treatment, trucking and distribution for 5,000 individuals. Construction of bridges is being undertaken by public works, UNHCR and EQUIP and refilling of the roads by UNMIL. CRS has pitched 91 tents and construction of the communal kitchen is near completion. EQUIP has repaired three hand pumps. Construction of latrines has been completed. Brushing of the two transit sites in New Yorpea has been completed.

Gborplay axis Two transit centres will be used in Karnplay (capacity: 6,000 individuals) and one in Zorgowee for 2,000 individuals. ADRA has erected 40 tents. DRC is repairing a pump at the current water point 30 metres from the center and is also digging a new well. DRC completed the construction of four emergency blocs of six latrines. Hand-dug wells are being planned for Karnplay 2.

Relocation villages Acceleration of transfer to relocation villages is ongoing. On 3rd March, convoys are scheduled to transfer refugees respectively from Gborplay to Karnplay and from Buutuo to New Yorpea.

Food Security/NFIs Cycle Two of the food distribution to the refugees who arrived before 24th February will be undertaken in the border communities. NFI distributions were undertaken in Beoyoolar and Gborplay for 1,300 individuals with particu-lar attention given to vulnerable people, who also received high-protein biscuits from WFP. Food and NFIs will be positioned on the Karnplay site for the newly transferred refugees.

Health The Country Health team and Equip undertook a prelimi-nary health screening in Buutuo and in the relocation villages Beoyoolar and Bongarplay. MSF and IRC set up their medical screening respectively at New Yorpea and Karnplay 1 to be ready for transfer of refugees on 3rd

March.

Environment EFA will produce fuel-efficient stoves on New Yorpea and Karnplay sites.


Butuo, Liberia /Ivorian Refgees, 8 January 2011 / F.Lejeune-Kaba

Ivorian refugees, Butuo Liberia / F. Lejeune/Kaba, Jan2011


Logistics Ten UNCHR trucks were airlifted by UNHCR together with tents and plastic sheets and arrived in Monrovia on 1st March 2011. They will be dispatched to Saclepea as soon as administrative procedures are completed. In addition, seven trucks re-deployed from Senegal arrived in Saclepea on 1st March.

External Relations UNHCR established a new online information portal for Liberia operations that can be accessed at http://info.unhcr.org/liberia.

COTE D’IVOIRE The security situation in Côte d’Ivoire remains extre-mely tense and volatile due to ongoing military clashes reported in the West, south of Danane, causing residents to flee to the Liberian border or to their home villages. Heavy fighting has been reported in and around Duékoué on the road to Man where 20,000 IDPs were being sheltered and where UNHCR was planning to set up a camp. Fighting has been reported as well in Blolequin and Toule-pleu, which is now controlled by the FN. This new situation might lead to a new displacement of some 40,000 IDPs previously registered by our teams a few weeks ago.

At this stage, even though UNICEF, WFP, and OCHA still have staff in the West they have no access to Duékoué. ICRC seems to be the only agency still able to access some IDPs. Lack of access to the population is of major concern to UNHCR and other agencies and partners.

An emergency meeting was organized on 3rd March by the UN Security Council to discuss the worrying situation in Côte d’Ivoire and the troublesome decision from the AU Heads of State to postpone for another month the proposed resolutions following their mediation with Gbagbo and Ouattara.

On 2nd March it was reported that some 250,000 people, nearly a quarter of the population, have been displaced from Abobo. Many are joining relatives and others are ac-commodated in Catholic missions. IDPs are confronted with huge problems of water and sanitary as structures are not operational, creating the possibility of a health and sani-tation crisis.

In his statement of 28th February, the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Cote d’Ivoire expressed his deep concern that Belarus had reportedly delivered three attack helicopters and related materials to Gbagbo’s forces in violation of the embargo in place against Côte d’Ivoire since 2004. However, the UNSG has now recognized the helicopters might not have come from Belarus. This viola-tion was, however, immediately brought to the attention of the Security Council’s Committee charged with the respon-sibility for sanctions against Côte d’Ivoire. The Secretary General has asked UNOCI to take necessary action, within its mandate, to ensure that the equipment is not used.

UNHCR requested that a humanitarian corridor be put in place to allow civilians to reach safer places as well as to allow the Red Cross and other humanitarian actors to access stranded populations.

On 26th February the Designated Official (SRSG) instructed all UN staff to refrain from travel throughout the country, particularly in the West.

On 26th February UNHCR and its partners continued to monitor the population displacements from Abobo and other areas. They have estimated that in a lull in gunfire after fighting on the night of 25th and 26th February, over 40,000 people fled the neighborhoods of Abobo and Yopougon. However, many people who could not walk, such as the elderly, pregnant women, the handicapped, and sick persons, remained behind. Evacuees from Abobo reported numerous deaths during their flight, as well as burned buses and looted shops.

In the west of the country Toulepleu was reportedly empty on 25th February, as most inhabitants had started to cross the Liberian border on the 24th in anticipation of the confrontation between the Forces Nouvelles and the Forces de Défense de Sécurité (FDS). Most of the popula-tion of Zouan Hounien and Bin Houye left for Liberia between 23rd and 24th February. Due to the volatility of the emergency and the massive movement of population, it is impossible at this stage to have a clear idea on the number of IDPs across the country. However, up to now, the IDPs are coming from Abobo N'dotre; Abobo PK 18 (the main Point); Abobo belle ville ; Abobo camp commando ; Abobo BC; Abobo Avoca-tier; Carrefour Diallo; Carrefour Celeste; Plaque; Celeste; and Anyama Chateau. And they are going to Yopougon (Maroc, Toit rouge, Niangon, Siporex and Micao); Koumas-si ; Adjame ; Berlin ; Village Aghien ; Sans Loi ; Guéré; Quartier Harris; Gbagba; and Campement.


GUINEA A total of 819 individuals are registered in N’Zerekore in forest zone as well as 97 individuals registered in Conakry. Thus far, 344 persons are hosted in Kouankan II refugee camp while other individuals reside in the Lola and Beyla villages.

The transfer of 31 persons from Foumbadou and N’Zerekore to Kouankan II was scheduled on 1st March with the logistic support of IOM and with the collaboration of implementing partners. The office has noted fewer arrivals in the Forestry region during the last few days. Constant communication is maintained with ICRC

to enquire about eventual new arrivals reported by the Red Cross Volunteers.

Education Budget provision has been recorded to allow ODIC and ACORD to start constructing three classrooms, to manu-facture school desks, to hire teachers, and to procure school supplies and uniforms.

Site Planning/Shelter/NFIs The capacity of Kouankan II has been increased with cons-truction of 23 temporary community tents, 8 community kitchens and 46 sanitary blocks. ACORD is ensuring distribution of NFIs to all newly arrived refugees transferred to Kouankan II, including blankets, maps, mosquito nets, soap, kitchen sets, petrol lamps, jerry cans and plastic buckets.

Food Security/Nutrition The last monthly Food distribution organized by WFP, ACORD and UNHCR took place on 2nd March. Several meetings took place with WFP, IPs (CRG and ACORD) and ONUDI to design and develop a project proposal in order to use the mill donated by WFP that will allow the population to grind maize.

UN

HC

R H

. C

AU

X/

1FE

B.

2011

/ C

OT

E D

’IV

OIR

E

SITUATION IN AFFECTED COUNTRIES

Population movements in the affected countries – Overall Picture

Guinea B. Faso Mali Ghana Togo Benin Niger Nigeria

Refugee population 916 20 143 113 314 23 31 51


Health Under the coordination of UNHCR Medical Coordinator, the refugees are systematically pre-screened at entry points and before their transfer to Kouankan II.

BURKINA FASO No new Ivorian asylum seekers have been registered during the reporting period. Meetings are being organized with CONAREF to ensure that preparations have been made for a possible influx into the country. A meeting was organized with the Resident Coordinator’s office to think about a strategy to mobilize efforts and contributions for the draft EHAP projects to be submitted soon. A meeting also took place with the Resident Coordinator to request her help in sensitizing the authorities on the emergency of the situation and the need to combine their efforts.

MALI The 3 million-strong Malian community in Côte d’Ivoire has reportedly been greatly affected by the crisis, but only a few Malians have returned home so far. The overall situation is reported as quiet, with no new arrivals. A total of 143 asylum seekers (98 households) have been registered thus far by CNCR. Border monitoring is ongoing on a daily basis. The office received information on the presence of Ivorian nationals in the town of Sikasso and a mission is underway to verify the information received. During the UNCT retreat held on 24th and 25th February at Mopti, heads of agencies confirmed their readiness to support UNHCR in the event of an influx from Côte d’Ivoire. WFP prepositioned stock for 2,000 people. Protection trainings were organized with the authorities in Sikasso on 23rd and 24th February and in Bamako on 28th February in order to support border monitoring in case of an influx. The authorities welcomed the initiative and committed to support UNHCR when needed.

GHANA The situation remains calm at the border between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. A meeting was held with the Red Cross and NADMO to discuss availability of volunteers to be deployed as profiling officers when needed. Red Cross confirmed the availability of 50 volunteers in Takoradi, Ellembele and Jomoro, two districts located at the Ivorian border. Registration training will be organized for NADMO and Red Cross Volunteers to provide them with the basic knowledge

to conduct profiling. The same training is planned for immigration officers. A UNCT meeting to be held on 3rd March includes an agenda item on Côte d’Ivoire, allowing UNHCR to share information on the preparatory work undertaken, the level of coordination available on the ground and the challenges to be faced in case of a massive influx. The total remains at 113 Ivorian asylum-seekers registered and arrived through borders in the western region. Some of the new arrivals are currently staying in host communi-ties, while others have made private arrangements. They are reported to have left their country because of the ongoing violence in Côte d’Ivoire. Some are also third country nationals fleeing Cote d’Ivoire who have applied for asylum in Ghana.

Protection – Border monitoring According to people arriving by boat at Jaway Wharf, Tabou and its surroundings were reportedly calm. A mission is currently underway to the Brong Ahafo region following the escalating situation in Côte d’Ivoire and the need to ensure coverage of the western region along the border. The objective of the mission is to establish contacts with NADMO, district and municipal authorities, to follow up on the acquisition of land for the camp site in Berekum, to visit the border points, and to gather information on the situation in the Bole area of the northern region.

Site Planning/Water/Sanitation The site planner is on the ground at Ampein camp site and work is ongoing.

Water/Sanitation Discussions on provision of latrines and water tankers with IPs and the National Catholic Secretariat, both of whom have the experience and capacity to support in case of emergency, are moving ahead.

NIGERIA Ivorian asylum seekers are received at the Field Office in Lagos. Most of the new arrivals come from Abobo and Cocody areas and are mainly members of the Dioula and Senufo tribes. As of 28th February 2011, a total of 51 asylum seekers had registered..

TOGO 314 Ivorians have arrived in Togo. The office and the partners organized a food and non-food distribution for the Ivorians.


UNHCR RRWA

Gilbert Loubaki Regional Representative a.i. [email protected] Tel. +221 33 867 62 07

Myriam Houtart Assistant Regional Representative (Programme) [email protected] Tel. +221 33 867 62 09

Funding

UN

HC

R /

GLE

NN

A G

OR

DO

N—

LIB

ER

IA /

MA

RC

H 2

011

Inter-Agency coordination The Regional Inter-Agency group CIV+5 met on 25th February to review contingency planning activities in the region and decided to meet again shortly to work jointly on the revision of the EHAP. UNHCR Regional Office for West Africa (RRWA) is working closely with the different countries in the region on the operational planning process for the next phases (increase in planning figures, review of existing gaps and preparation for potential further influx) so as to provide a clear picture of the resources needed in case of an additional influx and also be ready in case of a new EHAP submission.

The RRWA is working on the drafting of an MOU between UNHCR and IOM on joint activities for TCNs and returnees.

Donor Liberia Côte d’Ivoire Total (US$)

Canada 500,501 500,501

CERF 247,893 247,893

Luxemburg 87,015 87,015

Rep. of Korea 200,000 200,000

Rep. of Korea 100,000 100,000

Switzerland 422,713 422,713

Total (US$) 1,371,107 187,015 1,558,122

côte d’ivoire situation update civ+5 unhcr g.gordon...

Documents