UN warns humanitarian situation in Côte d'Ivoire could deteriorate into large-scale crisis

Citing a continued "fragile and tense" situation in Côte d'Ivoire, the United Nations Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today warned that the humanitarian situation in the country could deteriorate into a large-scale crisis.

In Abidjan, shantytowns continue to be demolished, resulting in massive displacement of people and a possible outflow of migrant workers into neighbouring countries, OCHA said. Côte d'Ivoire is host to some 4 million migrant workers.

In the capital, Yamoussoukro, and surrounding areas, OCHA voiced concern over the capacity of the current informal transit sites to sustain their level of assistance to an average of 3,000 people passing through each day in search of relief before heading to Abidjan.

Meanwhile in Bouaké, the UN, along with the International Committee of the Red Cross and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), have continued operations to provide minimal health services and some food aid.

OCHA said preparations were underway for a joint mission to assess the human and material resources in the war zone for the nationwide national immunization days scheduled for this weekend.