Makagbe and her five children have fled their homes to the village of Man
© UNICEF / Olivier Asselin
UNICEF staff in Abidjan, Ivory Coast were trapped in their offices for a second day, as forces loyal to President-elect Alassane Ouattara made an assault on the country’s commercial capital, Abidjan, in a bid to oust outgoing President Laurent Gbagbo and put an end to a political stalemate that has now lasted more than four months.
Despite these challenges, UNICEF is working to provide affected children and families with water, nutrition supplements, hygiene and other supplies. Essential medicine and basic health services are also a key priority since most, if not all, of the country's health centers have shut down.
One million displaced
A million people, majority of whom are women and children, were forced to flee their homes. The number of internally displaced people is increasing dramatically. During the past five days, as many as 120 000 people registered in camps and with host families. Many have also sought refuge in churches and Catholic missionary center in the cities of Man, Duékoué and Guiglo. Others have crossed the border to Liberia, Guinea and Ghana. In Abidjan has about 500 000 people have fled since then the political crisis erupted after the election ..
UNICEF priorities
- Work to ensure that 1.2 million children return to school, after all the schools in the north has been closed since the presidential election in late November. UNICEF is providing school supplies and teacher training.
- Provide 1.5 million people with clean water and sanitation equipment, which is absolutely essential to avoid diseases.
- Make sure that the 260 health center can be kept open so that malnourished children and people with HIV are receiving treatment despite medical centers now closed across the country.
- Disseminate information on health, water, hygiene and HIV.
- Deliver emergency aid in the dangerous areas of armed conflict where the military right now denying aid agencies access
- Able to stay in Abidjan, despite the very uncertain situation and increased risks.
It is imperative that UNICEF can continue its work in Ivory Coast to meet the most urgent needs in health, nutrition, water, sanitation, hygiene, and education.