Côte d'Ivoire

2013 UNHCR country operations profile - Côte d'Ivoire

Working environment

The context

Although Côte d'Ivoire is gradually returning to normalcy after the violence that followed the 2010 presidential elections, the security challenges that it still faces discourage all citizens who fled abroad from returning. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, established in 2011, is not yet operational. Tensions between communities remain high in the western part of the country, in particular on issues related to land. The humanitarian space will remain jeopardized until the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration into society of ex-combatants is complete.

Some 46,000 Ivorians who were internally displaced still live with host families, while those who have returned home are struggling to rebuild their lives. Many Ivorian refugees who fled to neighbouring countries have returned, but there is a need to ensure their reintegration.

The implementation of the comprehensive solution strategy for Liberian refugees has paved the way for the large-scale repatriation of this refugee group, the majority of whom live in Côte d'Ivoire. The strategy also envisages integration opportunities and the establishment of exemption procedures, further to the invocation of the cessation clauses for Liberian refugees as of 30 June 2012.

The needs

In the aftermath of the recent political crisis, Côte d'Ivoire still suffers from structural weaknesses and geographical imbalances between Abidjan and the rest of the country. People in the west, the area of origin of the majority of Ivoirian refugees, have limited access to basic services. With return movements accelerating, the humanitarian community must take vital measures to address the returnees' most urgent needs and prevent fresh inter-community clashes. Returns will not be sustainable without protection monitoring, the rehabilitation of villages and the provision of adequate shelter and basic services.

The security situation and the proliferation of arms among civilians as well as uncontrolled military elements and armed groups are some of the major issues that need to be addressed to ensure stability and law and order.

The risk of statelessness in the country remains of concern, as an estimated 871,000 people are still expecting to acquire their Ivorian citizenship or have it confirmed. The Ivorian Government has pledged to accede to the 1954 and 1961 Statelessness Conventions and has agreed to work closely with UNHCR to prevent statelessness.

Main objectives and targets for 2013

Favourable protection environment

International and regional instruments acceded to, ratified or strengthened.

• Advocacy activities will be conducted with a view to supporting Côte d'Ivoire's accession to the Statelessness Conventions.

Law and policy are developed or strengthened.

• A total of 60 members of the National Assembly and 30 magistrates are briefed on the draft asylum law through 8 training sessions.

Security from violence and exploitation

The risk of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is reduced and the quality of the response to it is improved.

• All known survivors of sexual violence receive support.

The protection of children is strengthened.

• Best interest determination (BID) procedures are initiated or completed for all unaccompanied minors and separate children in the refugee population.

Basic needs and essential services

The population of concern has optimal access to education.

• All refugee children have access to primary and secondary education.

• Some 90 per cent of returnee children have access to primary education.

Services for persons with specific needs are strengthened.

• All refugees with disabilities have access to services for their specific needs.

Shelters and infrastructure are established, improved and maintained.

• Some 85 per cent of the returning refugee households will live in adequate dwellings.

Community empowerment and self-reliance

Peaceful coexistence among local communities is promoted.

• Nine projects to promote peaceful coexistence will be implemented.

Self-reliance and livelihoods are improved.

• Access to financial services will be facilitated for 20 per cent of the refugees.

• Some 40 per cent of returnees aged 18-59 will be assisted to integrate into the labour market.

Durable solutions

A reduction in statelessness is achieved.

• Some 200,000 people at risk of statelessness will be assisted to acquire or confirm their nationality.

The potential for integration is realized.

• All refugees opting for local integration will be provided the necessary assistance.

The potential for voluntary return is realized.

• 40,000 Ivorian refugees return voluntarily with UNHCR's assistance.

Reintegration is made more sustainable.

• Nine capacity-development projects target governmental institutions so that they can help returnees re-establish their lives - and legal identities - as soon as possible.

Strategy and activities in 2013

UNHCR will give priority to finding durable solutions, ensuring the sustainability of returns and supporting reintegration by increasing its field presence and improving communications with local authorities and returning populations. It will aim for a smooth transition from peace consolidation to long-term development.

As the crisis in Côte d'Ivoire left a huge number of houses destroyed and led to massive deterioration in living conditions, UNHCR and its partners will continue housing programmes started in 2012 in areas of return. UNHCR will also rehabilitate basic social services and implement youth employment programmes. Self-reliance projects will reduce returnees' dependence on direct assistance. Returnees need the means to rebuild their businesses and stocks of basic goods before they are able to contribute to community life. For those Ivorians who remain internally displaced, UNHCR and its partners will continue to provide protection and assistance.

In the context of the comprehensive solutions strategy for Liberian refugees, UNHCR is pursuing all remaining opportunities for voluntary repatriation and local integration. With the invocation of the cessation clauses, exemption procedures have been put in place. Those who are exempted from the cessation clauses will continue to receive international protection. To enhance the asylum regime, UNHCR will also continue to advocate for the adoption of the draft asylum law.

The total number of people at risk of statelessness is estimated at 871,000.

UNHCR and the Government will work closely together to address statelessness in the country by assisting concerned individuals to acquire or receive confirmation of their nationality. The identification of people at risk is likely to take several years. Sensitization campaigns about birth registration and the importance of documentation will be conducted in 2013.

Constraints

Although conditions have improved, the volatile security situation, especially in the western part of the country, including the border areas, will remain a source of concern. Reconciliation is progressing at a slow pace and civilians remain subject to attacks by armed groups.

The slow re-establishment of public officials and local police in rural areas, plus the implementation of wide-ranging changes in the civil service and judiciary, have contributed to an administrative vacuum in which the demands of the civilian population cannot be met, endangering sustainable returns.

Organization and implementation

Coordination

UNHCR will sustain and expand the current partnership with the Government, UN agencies and national and international NGOs to implement programmes and participate in inter-agency coordination mechanisms.

Financial information

UNHCR's budget in Côte d'Ivoire was being progressively reduced until 2011, when the consequences of the post-election crisis called for a strengthened presence and an increase in operational capacity. In 2011, UNHCR's requirements reached USD 47.2 million due to the emergency response, and for 2012 they were initially set at USD 31.3 million. In 2013, UNHCR will require USD 27.8 million to complete its repatriation programme and expand reintegration activities.

Source: UNHCR Global Appeal 2013 Update