Côte d’Ivoire and neighbouring countries

There has been significant improvement in the security situation in most parts of Côte d’Ivoire following the arrest of former President Laurent Gbagbo on 11 April and the swearing-in of President Alassane Ouattara. However, despite relative tranquillity, reports of violent attacks on civilians by militia remnants and inter-ethnic confrontations continue to be registered in the south-west along the border with Liberia. Aggression against the civilian population has also been witnessed in some neighbourhoods of Abidjan such as Yopougon and Abobo, leading to an increase of internal displacement and refugee flows into the neighbouring countries during April and May. According to UNHCR reports, the number of asylum seekers in Ghana increased almost five-fold from 3,240 people at the end of March to 16,720 people as of 15 June. A similar trend was witnessed in Togo with an increase from 891 to 5,890 refugees. Meanwhile, and despite security concerns along the Liberia border, at least 224 Ivorian refugees were reported to have returned to Prollo village, 30 km west of Tabou, at the beginning of May.
In Abidjan, business activities have picked up with most commercial banks re-opening. As of 10 May, the country resumed exports of cocoa following the lift of an economic embargo. In addition, major international banks including the International Monetary Fund and the African Development Bank have resumed a dialogue with the new Government on reconstruction aid. The five-month crisis had, however, an adverse impact on the coping mechanisms of the vulnerable populations, and the humanitarian consequences of the crisis represent enormous challenge for the humanitarian community. As of 30 June, the Emergency Humanitarian Action Plan (EHAP) for Côte d’Ivoire and neighbouring countries had only received 21% funding (US$60.5 million)against the $292 million requested.
Access to food, proper health care, education, clean water, sanitation and income-generating activities remain of great concern for the displaced populations and also for host communities. This situation is likely to be exacerbated by the increase in food and commodity prices and floods during the upcoming rainy season. Concerted efforts by all stakeholders will be needed to guarantee an effective humanitarian response. The revised EHAP has been developed by the cluster leads in Côte d’Ivoire under the leadership of the Humanitarian Coordinator for Côte d’Ivoire and by regional sector leads.

The four strategic objectives identified in the initial EHAP are retained:

Reduce excess mortality and morbidity in crisis situations.
Reinforce livelihoods of the most vulnerable people severely affected by slow or sudden-onset crisis.
Ensure humanitarian access and improve protection of vulnerable people.
Strengthen coordination and preparedness of emergencies at national and regional levels.