Côte d'Ivoire: OCHA Weekly Update No. 10

03-10 July 2005
I. Key political and security highlights

On 8 July 2005, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Louise Arbour visited the western region, under the control of governmental authorities and Bouaké. In Bouaké, the High Commissioner met with Forces Nouvelles authorities and noted the state of lawlessness prevailing in the north as a result of the absence of the judicial and administrative authorities. In the west, the High Commissioner visited the villages of Fengolo, Petit Duékoué Guitrozon and the site of internally displaced persons of the catholic mission in Duékoué. She appealed to all parties involved in the peace process to immediately apply and respect international guarantees related to the protection of human rights.

On 9 July 2005, after three days of talks, the parties to the conflict in Cote d'Ivoire adopted a new calendar for the DDR process. The "Forces Nouvelles" are to lay down their arms one month before the presidential election planned for 30 October 2005. The "Forces Nouvelles" did not respect the previous dates on disarmament, stating that President Laurent Gbagbo had respected his commitment to engage in a reform of voted laws referred to in previous peace agreements and in the dismantling the militias. According to the new agreement, the combatants will have to hand over their arms to UNOCI peacekeeping forces between 26 September and 03 October 2005, while the reformed laws should be made before 15 July 2005. On 12 July 2005, the spokesperson of President announced that President Gbabgo Laurent had decided to use exceptional powers (Article 48) granted to him by the constitution to legislate on the issues concerning nationality and electoral commission in accordance to the agreement.

II. Humanitarian Situation

Humanitarian access

Demonstrators in the village of Kaadé impeded the passage of a couple of humanitarian actors during the week in review. One partner faced difficulties for the implementation of pumps and wells programme in the villages of Kaadé, Guinkin and Zeaglo. The inhabitants of the village of Kaadé expressed their deep concern on the continued insecurity prevailing in their area.

Movement of Internally displaced persons (IDPs)

On 06 July 2005, during a field trip to Prikro (locality near the zone of confidence), OCHA/Bouaké sub-office has noted a significant decrease in the number of internally displaced persons on sites. As of 29 January 2005, 2 475 IDPs were recorded in Prikro, currently there are 523. The establishment of an UNOCI presence in Prikro facilitated the return of 275 IDPs originating from Kossandougou village (locality in the zone of confidence). The others either left for another secure location or settled down in the neighbouring hamlets to undertake agricultural activities. Meanwhile in M'bahiakro, (82 Km from Bouaké), about 40 out of 1 044 IDPs returned in their village of origin (Bonguéra, Krakrakro and Akakro).

Water and Sanitation

UNICEF conducted an assessment mission in the western area in collaboration with the Direction of Village Pumps of the Ministry of Infrastructures to look into the issue of water supply. It also visited the displaced population back to Fengolo. Meanwhile the NGO "Solidarités", operating on Guiglo-Blolequin and Guiglo-Thai axis, is installing and repairing pumps taking into account the ethnic balance within various communities.

This week OCHA/Man antenna reported that urgent actions must be taken to restore the supply of electricity to the SODECI water station because the Civil and Military Actions Unit of the French peacekeeping forces will withdraw its generators on 15 July 2005. The French peacekeeping forces contributed to avoid an interruption of electricity following the damage of 280 meters of cable on the electrical supply network, by temporarily providing two (2) generators. This also allowed the water supply not to be interrupted.

Protection

From 04 to 08 July 2005, The OCHA IDP and Protection Adviser conducted a one week mission in the western and the northern regions to present the protection network, which will collect, analyse and use information for advocacy and early warning purposes. This network will require the input from all actors and partners, including the human rights of UNOCI.

From 04 to 08 July 2005, a coalition of international organisations (Save the children International Alliance, Amnesty International, Terre des hommes, World vision), conducted a joint mission in the Savannah Region (Korhogo, Ferkéssédougou, Ouangolo etc) with a view to establish a pilot project to advocate for the use of child soldiers. The first 6 months of this project will be dedicated to the identification of actors, who will work in the sector of prevention, DDR, and advocacy.

In view of the increase in the number of sexual violence in the west African sub-region, UNFPA and UNHCR organised a two-days seminar from 08 to 09 July 2005 in Abidjan on Gender based violence with the participation of medical doctors from humanitarian agencies and local NGOs. The participants look into the issue of sexual violence and abuse, which affected women. Meanwhile UNHCR has reported that over 6,000 Liberian refugees has been repatriated to Liberia.

Education

In the western region the end of year examinations of the secondary schools (BEPC) took place in a secure environment. OCHA/Guiglo sub-office conducted an assessment mission in conjunction with the District Direction of National Education in Toulepleu and noted that only seven (7) pupils out of 179 were absent. According to school administration out of 837 pupils registered for classes of "the second cycle", approximately 600 are vulnerable children (orphan of war, displaced children, non accompanied children). Their major concern remains the re-starting of a school canteen next year in order to benefit from a hot meal per day. Meanwhile at Bloléquin, 157 pupils sat for the BEPC examinations. The school canteen did not function because the amount required by the canteen (100 FCFA) for each meal remains out of reach for the pupils.

Save the children-Sweden organised a training session on caretaking of nursery school children with the participation of 20 community based agents from Ouangolo, Ferkéssédougou and Korhogo. This training session took place under the supervision of the teaching adviser in charge of the nursery schools of the Regional Direction of national Education of Korhogo. The participants were briefed on the various stages of the children development, and different type of activities such as the organization of the school courtyard, and the classrooms.

Food Security

On 07 July 2005, WFP started food distribution to 1005 households out of 5 700 internally displaced persons in Duékoué (5 535 in the catholic mission, 115 in the social centre and approximately 50 people in the townhall).

On 05 July 2005, WFP/Korhogo conducted an assessment mission on food security in Diaran, (140 km from Korhogo). This mission aimed to verify that food security is more and more fragile. The assessment reveals that the farmers of this locality have sold off part of their harvests to buyers coming from Mali and Burkina Faso (northern neighbouring countries). The WPF noted that the reports were inaccurate and that the farmers had benefited from a good rainy season and good food harvest. Moreover concerning the school canteens, WFP had urgently assisted this year, more than 57 000 pupils through the school canteens in the northern region (53 034 in public schools and 4000 in private schools).

Humanitarian Coordination

From 12 to 13 July 2005, OCHA organized a CAP workshop during which a lessons- learned review of the CAP 2005, the use of a needs analysis framework, and the development of scenarios for a CAP 2006 were discussed. The workshop also reviewed humanitarian interventions. The participants expressed the need for a common humanitarian action framework in the form of a CAP in 2006. A press briefing was held at the end of the workshop to inform the public on the humanitarian situation, funding issues and the decisions taken.

III. Resources Mobilisation (As of 10 July 2005 according to FTS)

No new contributions reported on « Financial Tracking Service » (FTS)

IV. Upcoming events

Workshop on humanitarian principles is postponed.

IAHCC mission to the Tabou region is scheduled from 28 to 30 August