UN team finds rebel-held areas of Côte d'Ivoire struggling for basic services

Most of the inhabitants of the rebel-controlled parts of Côte d'Ivoire lack basic health, sanitation, water and education services, a United Nations humanitarian team has reported after visiting the areas last week.

Led by Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Côte d’Ivoire, the mission said the northern and western areas are suffering because of the slow deployment of Government workers, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters today.

Village pumps and other water facilities are badly maintained, leaving many people without access to clean water and at high risk of contracting water-borne diseases, he added.

The UN team was sent to assess the situation in the north and west of the divided West African country, which is controlled by the Government in the south and by opposition forces in the north.

Last year the warring sides signed the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement, which ended bitter fighting and led to a government of national reconciliation. Elections are scheduled for October 2005.

Peacekeeping forces from the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), which has been operating since May last year, separate the two areas. More than 5,800 military personnel are now on the ground, making the mission's deployment nearly complete.

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) reported that five unofficial roadblocks in the western town of Guiglo are hampering relief efforts.