Brussels, 17/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - At a time when the eyes of the EU and the international community are fixed on Japan, the European Commission fears a major humanitarian crisis in Côte d'Ivoire where fighting between supporters of self-proclaimed president Laurent Gbabgo and those of the democratically elected and internationally recognised president Alassane Ouattara are intensifying. Thus, the Commission decided on Thursday 17 March to increase its emergency humanitarian aid by €25 million, taking it to €30 million for Côte d'Ivoire and neighbouring countries since the start of the post-electoral crisis.
The fighting has brought massive displacement of people in Côte d'Ivoire. More than 11,000 refugees have been recorded in neighbouring countries, particularly in Liberia, Guinea and Ghana. The aid will provide water, food and sanitation facilities for the vulnerable in Côte d'Ivoire and in refugee camps.
At a press conference n Brussels, European Commissioner for International Cooperation Kristalina Georgieva said that the number of victims is more than in Libya and neighbouring countries. She warned that the country is on the brink of a civil war. Fighting between the rival sides is taking a terrible toll on the people and 380,000 have fled the country, she said. She added that the EU wanted to be impartial and to help people, no matter their political allegiance. “Although we are hoping for a rapid political resolution of the crisis, it is our duty to prepare emergency plans to provide victims without delay all the humanitarian aid they might need”, she stated.
The commissioner said she was very concerned by the way the situation in Côte d'Ivoire had developed, with the upsurge in violence and pillaging which is depriving people of the necessities of life, and also by the effects of the conflict on neighbouring countries. “It is essential that the suffering of the people of Côte d'Ivoire does not slip from view. We are working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Red Cross and the World Food Programme, and in coordination with the Liberian authorities. Our staff in the region will do everything possible to help the victims of the conflict”, she said. (A.N./transl.rt)