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In Brief
Appeal No. 27/2004; Operations Update no. 1; Period covered: 23 December 2004 to 31 January 2005; Appeal coverage: 0.0%; Click here to go directly to the attached Contributions List, also available on the website.
Appeal history:
Launched on 23 December 2004 for CHF 411,236 (USD 358,652 or EUR 266,587) to assist 14,000 beneficiaries for three months.
Disaster Relief Emergency Funds (DREF) allocated: CHF 100,000.
Outstanding needs: CHF 411,236 (USD 358,652 or EUR 266,587)
Related Emergency or Annual Appeals: See list on final page of this Update
Operational Summary:
Civil unrest in Côte d'Ivoire resurfaced in November 2004, resulting in 64 deaths and 2,000 injured. Approximately 10,000 western nationals left the country; many nationals from African countries also returned to their homes, mainly Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea. Unofficial reports from neighbouring National Red Cross Red Crescent Societies indicated that 15,000 had fled to Liberia and a further 10,000 to Burkina Faso.
The Regional Delegation issued three information bulletins1 ;CHF 100,000 was allocated from DREF to support the affected national societies to carry out assessment missions to the border areas. A planning and evaluation workshop was held 8-9 December. Each of the six national societies developed a three-month plan of action that addressed basic preparedness and response activities related to large population movements, eachw ith a budget of CHF 20,000.
After cooperation agreements were signed early January 2005, CHF 5,000 was transferred to each of three national societies; the remaining three are still pending. This initial transfer allowed the national societies to initiate activities in line with their plan of action. However, further activ ities must remain on hold as this Appeal has not received any funding contributionsb eyond the initial DREF allocation.
Background
Côte d'Ivoire was once one of the wealthiest countries in West Africa. For this reason, many people from other African states, mainly the poor Sahel countries, are living and working in Côted' Ivoire, making up to one third of the country's population. Over the last two years Côte d'Ivoire has been experiencing civ il unrest; this peaked again in November 2004, resulting in 64 deaths and nearly 2,000 injured. Anti-foreigner sentiments prompted 10,000 western nationals to leave the country. African nationals also started to leave for their home countries, mainly to Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea and Liberia. Official information on the situation within Côte d'Ivoire and on people crossing the borders to the neighbouring countries was scarce; however, reports from neighbouring National Red Cross Societies indicate that 15,000 have fled to Liberia and 10,000 to Burkina Faso during November 2004.
Though negotiations on solving the political crisis in Côte d'Ivoire are on-going, the situation seems unlikely to improve soon. General elections are planned to be held in October 2005. It is rather uncertain whether they will take place and their impact on political stability and on h t e humanitarian situation in Côte d'Ivoire and neighbouring countries.
Most international organizati ons working in Côted'I voire relocated their staff or work underr estricted conditions. This has resulted in unreliable information about the humanitarian situation in the country, internal displacements and violence against women and children, and the condition oft he African nationals from neighbouring countries and their readiness to return home. Informal reports from National Red Cross Societies in the Sahel region indicate that they are already returning home.
The recent locust invasion - the worst in15 years - and insufficient rains might lead to a major food crisis, even famine, in the coming months. UN organizati ons are already developing contingency plans to address these emerging needs. As a worst-case scenario, a breakout of open conflict orci vil war might result in a spontaneous repatriation of up to 750,000 African nationals currently living and working in Côte d'Ivoire to their home of origin. A further 30,000 Côte d'Ivoire nationals might seek refuge in neighbouring countries, and the number of internally displaced might reach as high as 750,000. That is, a potential population movement of 1.5 million people might occur if conditions in Côted 'Ivoire don ot improve considerably.
The International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement has a major role to play, both to prepare for and respond to this threat of a major humanitarian disaster in West Africa. Through its unique characteristics with a wide network of volunteers - even in the most remote villages - it can give updated and accurate information on the situation and needs of the most vulnerable and efficiently respond to the needs of the most vulnerable.
The prior experiences of 2002 and 2003 - civil unrest resulting in massive population movement - lead h t e Movement o t take immediate action in November 2004 in assisting those affected and to prepare for mass population movements to the five neighbouring countries. The Regional Delegation in Dakar is the focal point and coordinating body for the concerned National Societies.
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