UNICEF is calling on national and community leaders in Côte d’Ivoire to ensure that all children are protected from violence, that they have continued access to health services and are able to go to school, during what continues to be a volatile political situation.

Uncertainty and violence following disputed elections has seen more than 43,000 people displaced, with more than half of those having fled the country, mainly to next door Liberia. The situation would be compounded if ongoing political instability resulted in diseases left untreated and children being exploited or missing school.

In Côte d’Ivoire, UNICEF has already dispatched 20 tons of relief supplies to assist people in need in the West of the country. A national yellow fever campaign is also being prepared to counter an outbreak that is affecting two districts of the country and has already claimed the lives of 25 people since the end of October 2010.

UNICEF estimates that more than 28,000 Ivoirians – over 75 per cent of whom are children and women – have already sought refuge in Eastern Liberia. Prior to the influx, host communities there were already struggling to meet their own needs for food, shelter, water, sanitation and health care. UNICEF is working with partners in Liberia to boost supplies of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities for refugee families. UNICEF is also providing education materials to get schools running for refugee children as soon as possible.

In any crisis or emergency, children are the most vulnerable. National and community leaders in Côte d’Ivoire must ensure that those responsible for the well-being of children are able to work and that children are not placed in the front line of political action.

How you can help
Please make a donation to UNICEF NZ’s Emergency Fund