2010 UNHCR country operations profile - Côte d'Ivoire

Working environment

The context

Côte d'Ivoire's presidential elections, initially scheduled for 2008, were postponed to 29 November 2009. While there is optimism that the elections will take place, there are many challenges facing the authorities. These include the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of armed militia groups, unification of the treasury (as the former rebellion had a parallel tax collection system), and the transfer of power from the Forces Armées des Forces Nouvelles (FAFN) zone commanders to the corps préfectoral. During the crisis, the FAFN had its own zone commanders who had combined military and administrative power. Professional civil administrators (the corps préfectoral) have been appointed to take over the responsibilities held since the beginning of the crisis by zone commanders.

The failed attempted coup in September 2002, which was followed by the partition of the country in two, triggered massive population displacements both within and outside Côte d'Ivoire. Following a study in 2005, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country was estimated at 709,000. Approximately 13,000 Ivorians are said to have sought or received asylum in the subregion, mainly in Liberia, Guinea and Mali. On the other hand, Côte d'Ivoire hosts some 24,800 refugees and asylum-seekers.

The needs

There is a continued need for the protection of refugees and fair and efficient refugee status determination (RSD) procedures. The rules of procedure related to RSD need to be improved and delays reduced. Ensuring the self-reliance of refugees also constitutes a major challenge, and projects to improve the self-reliance of the remaining refugee groups need to be adequately funded. Refugees' needs in the areas of health and education will be met, with special attention given to the most vulnerable. Those at risk of becoming stateless require additional assistance. Furthermore, Ivorian refugees who require help to repatriate and reintegrate should be adequately supported.

Main objectives

Fair protection processes

• Provide protection and services to groups with specific needs.

• Take measures to prevent and reduce statelessness.

• Prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence.

Durable solutions

• Facilitate the local integration of some 24,000 Liberian refugees.

• Promote the voluntary repatriation and reintegration of Ivorian refugees.

• Resettle refugees for whom this is the only viable durable solution.

• Protect IDPs and help them find durable solutions.

Key targets for 2010

• All people of concern have access to primary health care, including in-patient services and referral systems, while health facilities are constructed, equipped and rehabilitated as needed.

• Those with special needs receive individual or family support, including through micro-credit programmes.

• Solutions are found for all unaccompanied minors and separated children by means of best-interest determination procedures.

• Monitoring mechanisms for children's security and well-being are established.

• Programme management, coordination and support are strengthened and optimized.

Strategy and activities

UNHCR will assist refugees to integrate locally and provide them with documentation. The Office will also pursue an alternative legal status for Liberians in line with the planned implementation of the cessation clause. Furthermore, the Office will continue its strategy of strengthening the relevant Government structures, as well as national NGOs, in view of UNHCR's eventual phasing out.

Protection and programme matters will involve populations of concern and other community structures in an effort to improve their welfare. Closer collaboration with development and Government actors will be fostered to ensure the sustainability of assistance and protection. Most interventions will be in line with United Nations Development Assistance Framework and poverty-reduction strategies.

Returnees will benefit from activities to make their return and reintegration sustainable. In this regard, UNHCR will work closely with the Government to implement tripartite agreements and action plans on the return and reintegration of Ivorian refugees. The Office will ensure that the reintegration plan for forcibly displaced populations agreed to by the Government and the international community includes returnees, and that the applicable standards are respected.

IDPs will benefit from protection monitoring and reintegration assistance. UNHCR will ensure that the return of IDPs is in conformity with the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement and other international norms. The Office will work with other stakeholders to facilitate the search for durable solutions.

With regard to statelessness, the focus will be on prevention and reduction through advice and access to documentation. UNHCR will advocate for the establishment of a legal, administrative and regulatory framework that will help to prevent statelessness. To this end, the office will engage in advocacy, training and information campaigns. UNHCR will also, in concert with other stakeholders, review the cases of those rejected under the audiences foraines, a programme to provide national identity documents to those who could not prove they were citizens of Côte d'Ivoire.

UNHCR's strategy and activities in Côte d'Ivoire are in line with key regional priorities. These are to engage governments in building fair and effective asylum systems and the adoption of refugee legislation; achieve local integration and provide an alternative legal status for Liberian refugees; provide multi-faceted support for the reintegration of returnees; and lead the protection cluster and facilitate the return and reintegration of IDPs. Additional regional imperatives are to further advocacy and prevent statelessness.

Constraints

The fragile security situation in Côte d'Ivoire may dissuade refugees from opting for local integration. It may also become difficult to provide protection and assistance to refugees in the event of a conflict in refugee-hosting areas or areas of return or habitual residence of IDPs. At present, the Government does not consider it urgent to adopt the statelessness Conventions or provide UNHCR with the relevant data obtained from the audiences foraines. Success in other projects, such as awareness raising with regards to access to documentation, is equally dependent on the Government.

The return of Ivorians and IDPs largely rests on the assumption of free, fair and transparent elections, with the results accepted by the key parties, as well as on peace and security in areas of return.

Organization and implementation

UNHCR will maintain a Country Office in Abidjan and two field offices in western Côte d'Ivoire, Guiglo and Tabou.

Coordination

UNHCR will work with the Government, the UN Country Team, the Inter-Agency Humanitarian Coordinating Committee and the Security Management Team. It will continue to lead the protection cluster for IDPs and to play a pivotal role in the protection of refugees, returnees and those at risk of becoming stateless. The Office's implementing and operational partners will contribute to promoting peace, tolerance and social cohesion in IDP- and refugee-affected areas.

Financial information

The financial requirements will amount to USD 16 million in 2010. Côte d'Ivoire will be the only country in West Africa where needs and solutions for people of concern to UNHCR require planning for three different budget pillars, namely refugees, stateless and IDPs. Through the comprehensive needs assessment, UNHCR will increase its budget to assist IDPs. Objectives under this pillar will focus mainly on community participation, self-management and durable solutions.

Source: UNHCR Global Appeal 2010-2011