EU humanitarian aid to the Ivory Coast

The European Commission has adopted a €5.74 million humanitarian aid package to provide basic needs to vulnerable groups affected by the conflict in Côte d'Ivoire. This emergency assistance will also benefit uprooted populations fleeing to neighbouring countries. The funds, which are made available by the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Office, ECHO, under the responsibility of Commissioner Poul Nielson, will support food, health, nutrition, logistics, shelter and water/sanitation programmes. Humanitarian organisations operating in the region will implement the programmes.

A humanitarian crisis is unfolding among vulnerable groups in Côte d'Ivoire as a result of the armed conflict and political instability that erupted in September 2002. Despite moves towards peace, the conflict is still affecting the civilian population. The country's social and economic infrastructure remains weak. Stunted trade and business have caused an acute lack of cash and shortages in basic food, goods and medicines. Most public facilities such as health clinics are closed and medical personnel are largely absent. Women and children are particularly vulnerable as the main causes of mortality and morbidity are malaria in small children and pre-natal related diseases. Attacks against civilians by fighting factions has led to large population movements, both of Ivorians and of refugees from neighbouring countries.

This funding decision allocates €3.4 million to support health, nutrition, water and sanitation, shelter and non-food items, transportation and protection for vulnerable groups within Côte d'Ivoire. Particular attention will be paid to the needs of women and children. Medical projects will include paediatrics, gynaecology services and surgical facilities for the war wounded. The remaining €2.1 million will provide emergency relief and reintegration assistance for uprooted populations, such as returnees or refugees, in other countries of the region. This aid will be provided to people directly affected by the Ivorian conflict in Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana. €240.000 will be kept in reserve.

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