The heavy fighting and the widespread looting have meant that nearly one million people are internally displaced, and more than 150 000 refugees have crossed the border to Liberia and other neighbouring countries. According to the UN’s latest figures, the flow of refugees could rapidly rise to 500 000 given current developments.
This increase brings Norway’s total emergency assistance to Côte d’Ivoire up to USD 11 million (NOK 60 million). These funds have been channelled through the Norwegian Refugee Council, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the World Food Programme and UNICEF. The money is used directly for the protection of civilians, medical assistance, food aid, and nutrition programmes for internally displaced persons in Côte d’Ivoire and refugees in the neighbouring countries.
Norway is also allocating funds for UN humanitarian activities in Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia through the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).