The Federal Foreign Office is channelling an additional 500,000 euro to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to fund emergency aid for refugees who have fled to Liberia from Côte d’Ivoire.

Conflict has raged since the November 2010 presidential elections between the two camps of previous incumbent Laurent Gbagbo and election victor Alassane Ouattara; a recent escalation has led to renewed attacks on the civilian population. According to United Nations figures, the number of internally displaced persons has consequently risen to 300,000, while 80,000 refugees have fled into the neighbouring state of Liberia.

The money will be used to supply much needed items such as blankets, kitchen utensils and emergency accommodation. The UNHCR also enables refugee registration and protection.

The German Government has now provided a total of around 1.3 million euro to help people affected by the conflict in Côte d’Ivoire since the beginning of the year. This support goes not only through the UNHCR but also towards food aid provided by the World Food Programme and emergency medical care provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross. Additional measures are decided at short notice according to what is needed.

More information on the humanitarian assistance provided by the Federal Foreign Office can be found here: