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UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

WEST AFRICA: Refugees International to send humanitarian mission

ABIDJAN, 12 February 2003 (IRIN) - Refugees International (RI) is to send a mission to West Africa to identify humanitarian assistance and protection needs of on Ivoirian refugees, Liberian refugees, and nationals of other countries displaced by conflict in Cote d'Ivoire, RI reported on Monday.

The team is also to travel to Guinea and Liberia to investigate the needs of returnees, and of Liberians displaced by the fighting between government and rebel forces in Liberia. It will spend a month in the region.

"Up to one million people have been displaced by the conflict in the Ivory Coast that began with an attempted coup on September 19, 2002. The government and the rebel forces, who represent disenfranchised communities in the west and north of the country, signed a peace agreement in France the last week in January, but there is concern that it may not hold," RI said.

"Not only have hundreds of thousands of Ivoirians been displaced by conflict, but also it has affected thousands of Liberian refugees and nationals from neighboring countries who had found a safe haven and economic well being in this once peaceful and thriving country. The conflict is complicated by a war in Liberia - people are fleeing in many directions and the resources of agencies operating in West Africa are being stretched."

RI has for several years advocated increased protection and assistance for Liberian refugees in the region. "Liberian refugees in Liberia, Guinea and western Ivory Coast are increasingly facing protection problems, including being recruited by military forces," it said.

RI is an international advocacy NGO that focuses on early warning by monitor potential humanitarian crises and taking preventive action, protection and assistance to the displaced.

Themes: (IRIN) Refugees/IDPs

[ENDS]

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