Côte d'Ivoire

2012 UNHCR country operations profile - Côte d'Ivoire

Working environment

The context

The violence that followed presidential elections in Côte d'Ivoire in November 2010 displaced hundreds of thousands of people. At the peak of the crisis in 2011, an estimated 200,000 men, women and children had sought asylum in 13 neighbouring countries, with Liberia, Ghana and Togo receiving the largest numbers. In addition, an estimated one million people were internally displaced in Côte d'Ivoire. The situation has improved significantly since April 2011, following the investiture of the new President and the creation of a new Government. Although tensions have remained high, displaced persons have been progressively returning to their homes throughout the country. As of September 2011, 247,000 remained internally displaced in Côte d'Ivoire.

The improvement in the overall security situation and progress towards reconciliation lead to expectations that most internally displaced persons (IDPs) and a large number of refugees will be willing to return home in 2012. In order to assist the refugees to do so, in August 2011, UNHCR signed a Tripartite Agreement with the Governments of Côte d'Ivoire and of Liberia, thereby establishing the legal framework and the modalities for the voluntary repatriation of Ivorian refugees from Liberia. In October 2011, a similar agreement was signed with the Government of Ghana.

The needs

Significant challenges are still to be addressed in Côte d'Ivoire. The illegal occupation of private property exacerbates social tensions in rural areas in the western part of the country, while generalized mistrust continues to strain inter-communal relations. Violations of human rights are reported, including arbitrary arrests, summary executions, looting and extortion. The destruction of the administrative and judicial infrastructure during the crisis has aggravated the problems faced by segments of the population who do not possess civil documents.

In preparing the voluntary repatriation of Ivorian refugees, the focus will be on ensuring that conditions are appropriate for return in safety and dignity. There is a need for advocacy to address security problems and to provide training in the areas of human rights, peaceful conflict resolution and the development of social cohesion, all of which are key elements of the protection strategy.

In anticipation of the cessation clauses being invoked for Liberian refugees in 2012, reinforced registration and integration planning will be required. Public information campaigns will be mounted to promote repatriation and raise awareness of the rights, obligations and responsibilities of those who seek to remain in Côte d'Ivoire.

Main objectives and targets for 2012

Favourable protection environment

Administrative institutions and practices are developed or strengthened.

• The capacity of 75 Government officials is improved through training in specific areas.

Access to legal assistance and legal remedies is improved.

• The legal capacity of 1,000 Government officials and partners is built.
• Advocacy is conducted to improve the access of people of concern to legal assistance.

International and regional instruments are acceded to, ratified or strengthened.

• At least two workshops are held, attended by 100 Government officials, to disseminate information on protection instruments.

Public attitudes towards persons of concern are improved.

• Some 1,000 personnel from among the civilian authorities, military and police are trained in protection issues.
• Around 5,000 military and police personnel will benefit from mass information campaigns.

Fair protection processes and documentation

Civil registration and civil status documentation is strengthened.

• Some 1,000 children are registered and receive documentation under regular birth registration procedures.

The quality of registration and profiling is improved or maintained.

• Around 25,000 refugees are registered on an individual basis.

Basic needs and services

The health status of the population of concern is improved.

• Some 20 health facilities are equipped.
• Approximately 35,000 mosquito nets are distributed to people of concern.

The population of concern has optimal access to education.

• Some 3,500 children are enrolled in schools.
• Eight schools are rehabilitated or equipped.

The population of concern has sufficient supplies of basic and domestic items.

• More than 40,000 people receive domestic items.

Shelters and infrastructure are established, improved and maintained.

• Some 15,000 IDPs benefit from shelter kits.
• Around 30,000 Ivorian returnees benefit from shelter kits.

Durable solutions

The potential for voluntary return is realized.

• Some 55,000 Ivorian refugees return voluntarily with UNHCR's assistance.
• An estimated 100,000 IDPs are provided with protection monitoring and reintegration assistance.
• Some 6,000 Liberian refugees are assisted to repatriate voluntarily.

The potential for integration is realized.

• Around 9,000 Liberian refugees are assisted to obtain residence permits in Côte d'Ivoire.
• Some 4,000 Liberians in Côte d'Ivoire have their naturalization processes facilitated.

A reduction in statelessness is achieved.

• Some 960,000 people at risk of being stateless are sensitized about the procedure to prove their nationality.
• Around 90,000 people at risk of being stateless are assisted to prove their nationality and obtain legal documents.

Logistics and operations support

Logistics and supply are optimized to serve operational needs.

• About 1,350 tonnes of goods are transported and distributed.
• Some 6,000 Liberian refugees are assisted with transportation during the voluntary repatriation process.
• Some 55,000 Ivorian refugees are assisted with transportation during the voluntary repatriation process.

Strategy and activities in 2012

UNHCR anticipates the return of some 55,000 Ivorian refugees, as well as some 72,000 IDPs, in the course of 2012. It will work with its partners as lead agency on protection to ensure sustainable returns by providing return packages, conducting information campaigns and advocacy as well as developing a shelter programme to help address land ownership conflicts.

With respect to IDPs, UNHCR will continue to help cover the material needs of those living in displacement sites but more emphasis will be placed on providing assistance to villages where refugees and IDPs are returning. At the same time, support will be provided to the Government's initiatives to respond to the populations' needs. UNHCR will continue to contribute to peaceful conflict resolution and to programmes that build community capacities.

In 2012, UNHCR will protect and assist close to 25,000 refugees in Côte d'Ivoire, the vast majority Liberians. In anticipation of the implementation of the cessation clause for this refugee group in 2012, UNHCR will promote the voluntary repatriation of all remaining Liberian refugees while seeking local-integration opportunities for those unwilling or unable to return. In this respect, UNHCR will also help the authorities to facilitate the naturalization of those Liberians who request it.

In 2012, UNHCR will work with the Government in conducting activities to prevent statelessness, including the development of a national strategy. It will, notably, advocate for Côte d'Ivoire's accession to the 1954 and 1961 Statelessness Conventions, undertake special registration for children to provide them with auxiliary birth certificates, train government officials in relevant areas, and promote the issuance of identity documents.

Constraints

Although conditions have improved, security will remain a source of concern. In the west, reconciliation is progressing at a slow pace and civilians remain subject to attacks.

Wide-ranging civil service reforms are urgently needed to build justice and administrative institutions, as well as the capacity of the public sector to address violations of human rights, the right to citizenship and claims on land and property. The last issue in particular could hinder the consolidation of peace. Many returnees who own property cannot get access to their homes or their farms, and there are many outstanding disputes over land and property deeds. All these factors may also detract from the full realization of the potential for repatriation.

Organization and implementation

Coordination

UNHCR will work closely with the Government, as well as other UNHCR offices in neighbouring countries, to ensure coordinated repatriation. It will collaborate with UN peacekeeping troops in order to monitor the security situation in refugee and IDP areas of return. It will also coordinate humanitarian interventions with UN agencies and its NGO implementing partners, to ensure the effective delivery of protection to people of concern. With respect to the IDP situation, UNHCR will continue to play a major role in the cluster mechanisms, and will lead the clusters related to protection, camp coordination and camp management, shelter and non-food items.

Financial information

In 2011, UNHCR's financial requirements in Côte d'Ivoire have increased, due to the emergency situation and the high number of people in need of protection and assistance. In view of the voluntary repatriation and reintegration of refugees and IDPs, UNHCR's overall budget for Côte d'Ivoire will amount to USD 31.3 million in 2012 and to USD 26.4 million in 2013.

Source: UNHCR Global Appeal 2012-2013