An eighteen-month
Ivorian cease-fire was shattered last week when the Abidjan government
bombed strongholds in the rebel-held north and moved its troops into
the buffer zone that separates areas controlled by the two sides.
Two days into the offensive, Ivorian planes bombed a French peacekeeping
base and France's swift retaliation sparked days of mob violence on
the streets of Abidjan. There is growing concern that the situation
in Côte d'Ivoire will spill over into neighboring countries
(Liberia, Guinea, Ghana, Mali and Burkina Faso)
ACT member, The
Lutheran World Federation (LWF), reports that its regional representative
is monitoring the situation and coordinating with the other UN agencies
working in the region in order to be prepared for a major humanitarian
crisis. They report that approximately 6,000 frightened Ivorians have
fled cross the border into eastern Liberia since the crisis in their
homeland erupted last week. This has added pressure on Liberia, a
country that is still struggling to recover from its own civil war
and threatening regional instability. UN officials estimate that the
numbers seeking refuge in Liberia could increase to between 10,000
and 20,000 within the next few weeks.
Most of the refugees
entering Liberia are without personal effects, especially blankets,
cooking utensils, clothing and other essential non-food items (NFIs).
Many humanitarian agencies are having trouble reaching the new arrivals
from Cote d'Ivoire, massed in the border town of Butuo, because the
roads in that corner of heavily-forested Liberia are in such poor
condition.
The emergency
unit of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Program in Liberia
is co-ordinating with other agencies and has conducted a brief assessment
in the area of planned operation for gaps that can be bridged by the
Liberia Program. The most immediate needs identified are NFIs such
as quilts, layettes, assorted clothing and sleeping mats. The LWF
is planning to assist 5,000 Ivorian refugees in coordination with
the UN agencies that are providing food assistance. Lutheran World
Relief (LWR) has already pledged an in-kind contribution to cover
part of the needs identified. The ACT CO will respond with Rapid Response
Funds to cover transportation expenses of these items as well as the
sleeping mats.
The ACT CO will
continue to be in close contact with the members in the region monitoring
the situation. An appeal might be forthcoming.
The ACT CO
would appreciate any indications of possible support from funding
members.
