Tiril Skarstein (24.07.2012)
More than 5000 Ivoirians who were already displaced from their homes, again had to flee Friday, when Nahibly IDP camp was attacked. Norwegian Refugee Council is concerned about the situation for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country.
The attack happened Friday 20 July near Duékouéin, west in Côte d’Ivoire. At least seven people died and forty were injured during the attack, and the camp was burned down. The attack followed a violent incident which occurred the night before in Duékoué town, were four people were killed.
Gunshots were heard in Nahibly camp, as well as in Duékoué town, causing general panic. All the 5083 camp residents fled, losing their belongings and civil documentation in the process. During the events, UN forces and government forces were overwhelmed and could not prevent the violence and camp destruction.
"We are extremely concerned about the situation for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the camp, who again are forced to flee. The Ivoirian government and the international community has a responsibility for ensuring that these IDPs now are receiving appropriate help and that the rights of the IDPs in Côte d’Ivoire are safeguarded. Not only should the displaced be protected in their place of displacement, all measures should also to be taken to allow a voluntary and informed return of IDPs in safety and dignity," says Stève Ndikumwenayo, acting country director for the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).
Last week’s terrible incident has resulted in a temporary stop to the return of refugees from Liberia, which hosts a large number of Ivorian refugees.
Of the 5000 IDPs fleeing Nahibly camp Friday, 2600 were reported to have returned to their villages of origins, while an unknown number are still within host families in Duékoué and the surroundings areas.
Even if the insecurity in the area continues to be a major constraint, the humanitarian community and the administration are working to assist the affected IDPs. NRC has contributed by providing non-food items, like soap, blankets and buckets, and is also participating in the identification and registration of the re-displaced people.
"The recent events in Nahibly demonstrate how identity fracture and intercommunity mistrust remain in parts of Côte d’Ivoire. The causes of conflict and insecurity in Côte d’Ivoire, like land related issues, unreformed security sector and the presence of arms, have to be addressed," says Ndikumwenayo.