The political crisis in Côte d'Ivoire is forcing people to seek refuge in neighboring Liberia. Here, the Danish Refugee Council is providing emergency assistance to thousands in need of food and water. But help is still limited and there is a need for a strengthened effort as the crisis develops.

New flows of Ivorians from the rural areas in northern Côte d’Ivoire are fleeing the political instability and violence that followed in the wake of the political crisis. The incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo is still refusing to accept the outcome of the elections in November, declaring his opponent Allesane Ouattara for the winner and new leader of the country.

More than 15,000 people are now, according to the UN, registered as refugees after having crossed the border to the northeast of Liberia. Thousands more have arrived but are not yet registered. The vast majority of the refugees are women and children, and although they have reached a safer area, they are still vulnerable and need help.

"It is the small villages in an area called Nimba in northeastern Liberia, which houses the new flows of refugees, and local resources here are very limited. It is poor families who are trying to help their neighbors in need. Right now, the Danish Refugee Council is trying to alleviate the burden through support to both the refugees and the communities that host many of the new refugees who have arrived in recent days and weeks," says Claus Larsen, who is head of section in the Danish Refugee Council.

Therefore, it is crucial to provide aid and support as fast as possible, both to the new flows of refugees and to the villages that are struggling to house them. Most of the refugees arriving have crossed the border with nothing but their children and the few belongings they can carry.
 
"The majority of the refugees are women and children. The refugees are a diverse group of supporters of both Alassane Ouattara and Laurent Gbagbo. They tell of violence and have fled their homes because of fears that the political deadlock could lead to civil war. The situation in Côte d’Ivoire is both fragile and unpredictable, and it is quite impossible to say anything about when the refugees can return home, "says Claus Larsen.
 
The Danish Refugee Council is present in several countries in West Africa, and has been able to respond with a rapid intervention in Liberia to help the first waves of refugees. Depending on the situation, the Danish Refugee Council is ready to increase efforts to work also in Côte d’Ivoire and other areas in the region affected by the crisis. Right now, the situation is closely monitored as well in Guinea, also bordering Côte d'Ivoire, where a small number of refugees have fled to so far.

Ressources from the Danish Refugee Council’s own Emergency Fund as well as financial support from Danida and Sida (the Swedish International Development Agency), has until now made it possible to support local communities in Liberia with food supply. Moreover, work has been initiated in several villages to ensure access to clean drinking water and sanitation in a number of villages in Nimba in Liberia.

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