Attachments
Highlights:
From July to September 2024, new waves of population movements, due to persistent insecurity and fragility in the Sahel, led a further 5,585 people (including 3,217 children) to cross the border between Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire to seek asylum. By 30 September 2024, UNHCR reported that a total of 67,081 people—58 per cent children, the majority under 12 years of age—have fled from Burkina Faso into northern areas of Côte d’Ivoire.
On July 24, 2024, Côte d'Ivoire declared an epidemic of Mpox. As of September 27, 2024, the country has recorded 304 suspected cases, including 67 confirmed cases, of which 61 have been cured and one death has been reported. Children under the age of 15 account for 41.8% of confirmed cases. UNICEF responded immediately by supporting the government with the establishment of four case management centers in two health districts and assisting with the national response plan. UNICEF is expected to provide support in seven areas of responsibility.
During the reporting period, with UNICEF support, a total of 1,156 children under five years of age suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) were admitted for treatment in health centers of the Bounkani and Tchologo regions, bringing the total number of children suffering from SAM admitted for treatment since the start of the year in these two regions to 3,432. Furthermore, 12,000 children aged 6 to 23 months have received micro nutriment powders (MNP).
Some 19,060 children from the two regions affected by the Sahel Crisis, received school kits, bringing the total number of children receiving individual learning materials since the start of the year in these two regions to 19,605.
Situation overview and humanitarian needs
The deteriorating security situation in Burkina Faso, which led to an increase in the number of asylum seekers in 2023, has continued in 2024. From July to September 2024, 5,585 people (3,217 children) crossed the border from Burkina to Côte d’Ivoire, seeking asylum.
As of September 2024, Côte d’Ivoire hosted an estimated 67,081 asylum-seekers from Burkina Faso, 59,937 of whom were registered.
The majority of forcibly displaced persons in northern Côte d’Ivoire are women and girls (55%), while 40% (around 26,966) are schoolage children, and more than 19% are under the age of five.
Multi-sectoral assessments identified urgent needs in nutrition, water, hygiene, sanitation, and education. Children in these contexts are highly vulnerable, facing risks like forced marriage and violence, unregistered children/children without birth certificates.
Communities in Bounkani and Tchologo regions of Côte d’Ivoire struggle with access to basic social services and have lower economic development compared to the rest of the country. Scarcity of services exacerbates inequalities and tensions, while lack of economic opportunities increases vulnerabilities, especially for youth and women, to the Sahel crisis.
On July 24, 2024, Côte d'Ivoire declared an epidemic of Mpox. As of September 27, 2024, the country has recorded 304 suspected cases, including 67 confirmed cases in 26 health districts, of which 61 have been cured and 1 death has been reported.