UNITED NATIONS
NATIONS UNIES
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
BUREAU DE COORDINATION DES AFFAIRES HUMANITAIRES
HUMANITARIAN SITUATION REPORT Nr. 2
Impact of the Côte d'Ivoire Crisis on BURKINA FASO
I) General Humanitarian Situation
* The humanitarian situation in Burkina Faso is always marked by the consequences of the ivorian
crisis.
The main consequence is the influx of returning population with its humanitarian implications. In this
respect, the "CONASUR, Comité National des Secours d'Urgence", the national focal point for
emergency situations reported that 15,000 persons fleeing Côte d'Ivoire have been recorded between
19 of September (date of the beginning of troubles) and 14 of November.
From 14 of November, the Government started the "Bayiri operation" in order to help the meanless
Burkinabè nationals to leave Côte d'Ivoire. 2,420 persons have so far been transported in the context
of this operation.
Some 18,000 persons have been recorded as returnees on 26 of November, according to the
CONASUR.
* An African Union (AU) delegation, including the Ambassadors of Zambia and Gabon to the AU in
Addis Ababa as well as a senior staff of AU secretariat, was in Ouagadougou from 22 to 24 of
November in order to evaluate the consequences of the crisis in the neighbouring countries in the area
of refugees and IDPs.
* Next week, the Government will organise an important donor meeting with technical and financial
partners.
II) Political Developments
In relation with the ivorian crisis and its diplomatic implications, various governmental delegations
visited Ouagadougou this week:
* On 25 November, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ghana and the Minister of Industry and Trade
of Mali met with the President of Burkina Faso;
* On 26 November, it was the Prime Minister of Togo, the Minister of Agriculture of Côte d'Ivoire and
the President of African Union commission;
* On 27 November, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs was in Ouagadougou.
III) Humanitarian Activities
A. Sectorial Aspects
Some activities are being carried out as follows:
* UNICEF is setting-up supplementary polytanks for water at the various host/transit sites identified
inside of the country.
Relevant support is being provided in the psychological support area in collaboration with Red Cross
of Burkina.
Useful initiatives are also being taken about scholar material.
* WFP is continuing the food distribution in the context of "Bayiri operation". Between 14 and 25
November, distribution has been made in favour of 2,380 persons, in Pô the main entry point of
returnees through border with Ghana and in Ouagadougou, according to the following:
- 473 kilos of high protein biscuits,
- 22 tons of cereals,
- 2,759 tons of pulse.
* WHO is providing medical emergency kits. In addition, an expert from the Regional Office for
Africa, in Brazzaville, has been deployed on the ground, to provide an appropriate support in the
context of the current crisis. One of the major concerns of this support is the drafting of a sectorial
plan for health. This sectorial plan will complement the efforts carried out by the Government to
promote emergency response and planning.
B. Coordination Issues and Capacity Building Dimension
* OCHA submitted to the UN Resident Coordinator, on 22 of November, preliminary
recommendations concerning the strengthening of the coordination mechanisms. These
recommendations were discussed on 23 of November in the context of a meeting of the subcommission for emergencies of the UN Country Team.
The issue related to the identification and appointment of a Humanitarian Focal Point, acting as
OCHA's liaison officer, within the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator, was clarified.
* On 26 of November, the UN Resident Coordinator appointed the focal point.
The job training of this focal point is being provided to assume humanitarian coordination tasks after
the departure of OCHA expert, namely:
- regular issuing of situation reports;
- sharing of other humanitarian information concerning the country through UN Country Team,
donors, NGOs;
- providing inputs to the OCHA sub-regional office, in Abidjan, for a large dissemination to UN
System and other partners;
- dissemination of reports sent by the OCHA sub-regional office;
- liaison with the Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN);
- developing global and sectorial strategies within UN Country Team as well as with other
humanitarian partners to manage emergency situations;
- developing approaches about conflict prevention;
- organising general and sectorial meetings with UN Country Team and other humanitarian partners.
* Concrete proposals, involving UNCT as well as other humanitarian partners, have been made by
OCHA to help the UN Country Team to refine the National Emergency Response Plan in favour of
destitute returning population forced to flee Côte d'Ivoire.
UN OCHA / Humanitarian Situation Report, 29 of November 2002
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* The Representative of WFP (president of the sub-commission for emergencies of UN Country
Team), OCHA staff and an expert of the Swiss Cooperation Agency met on 22 of November with the
Minister of Social Action and National Solidarity, (responsible at governmental level for the
management of emergency issues). The meeting was focused on the global strategy defined by the
Government to manage the current crisis as well as on possibilities of collaboration between Burkina
Faso, UN System and other partners. Some basic needs were submitted by the Minister, mainly in the
area of training of trainers to reinforce the national capacities of the country to cope with emergency
situations.
* The UNDP is drafting a project proposal focused on coordination issues to support national
emergency response efforts in favour of destitute returning population from Côte d’Ivoire. This
project will be funded under Headquarter’ TRAC 3 channel.
* At the request of the UN Resident Coordinator, the OCHA mission has been extended until 5
December. The financial cost related to this extension is supported by UNDP.
For further information, please contact:
- Marcel Mikala, Humanitarian Affairs Officer,
OCHA, c/o UNDP, Ouagadougou
Office tel. 226 30 67 62
Cell.
226 20 09 31
E.mail: [email protected]
- Alima Debora Traoré, Humanitarian Focal Point,
UNDP, Ouagadougou
Office tel. 226 30 67 62
Cell.
226 21 45 54
E.mail: [email protected]
UN OCHA / Humanitarian Situation Report, 29 of November 2002
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