UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Published purpose

18 March 2011 - Côte d'Ivoire has been plunged into turmoil following the refusal of incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo to concede defeat after losing the 28 November second round of elections to former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara. Insecurity and post-electoral violence to date has claimed hundreds of lives and has led over 90,000 Ivoirians to flee to neighbouring countries, the vast majority seeking refuge in Liberia. The increasing presence of refugees is straining the local communities hosting new arrivals, themselves having already limited resources. Clean water, shelter, food, health, protection, access to sanitation facilities and security all remain the most urgent needs for refugees and hosting communities. With CIDA support, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is providing emergency assistance to refugees and hosting communities along the border areas of Liberia. As the lead agency for refugees within the UN system, UNHCR’s activities focus on: registering refugees; ensuring that refugees and vulnerable hosting communities are provided with adequate food, shelter, healthcare, protection, safe water and access to appropriate sanitation facilities; and ensuring that particularly vulnerable households, such as child- and women-headed households, have access to all basic services.