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Ivory Coast risks becoming â€œforgotten humanitarian disasterâ€

23 March 2011 18:38 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. The "forgotten humanitarian disaster"in the Ivory Coast is being ignored because of global focus on Libya and Japan, according to the United Nations, APA reports quoting â€œThe Telegraphâ€.
More than 400 people have died and 500,000 have fled ongoing violence in the West African country since its presidential incumbent, Laurent Gbagbo, refused to step down after losing November’s elections.
Less than Â£3 million has been pledged for a Â£10 million appeal for Ivory Coast, and a similar call for help for neighbouring Liberia has been only half-funded.
Yet the World Food Programme’s "relatively limited" Â£700,000 Japan tsunami appeal was filled "almost instantly", spokesman Caroline Hurford said.
"We would urge the world not to forget the situation in Ivory Coast and Liberia, where many Ivorians are fleeing to. This has the potential to develop into a serious but forgotten humanitarian disaster," Miss Hurford said.
Aid workers and UN staff, as well as journalists, have been routinely targeted by Mr Gbagbo’s supporters.
This means access to those worst affected is being severely limited.
Leaders of West African countries met in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, on Wednesday to discuss measures to try to force Mr Gbagbo, who has held power since 2000, to step down.
Calls for a military intervention to protect civilians have been growing ahead of the meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas).
"Ivory Coast is no longer on the brink of civil war, it has already begun," said Louise Arbour, former UN Commissioner for Human Rights and now the CEO of the International Crisis Group, who called on Ecowas to take "decisive political and military measures".
The impasse between Mr Gbagbo and his election rival Alassane Ouattara shows little sign of being resolved.
Supporters of both sides are accused of targeting civilians.
Mr Gbagbo’s forces may be guilty of crimes against humanity, the UN said, after they shelling of a marketplace last week killed at least 25 people.
The UN Operation in Ivory Coast (UNOCI) said it was "extremely concerned about the increased use of heavy weapons, including machine guns and mortars, by the Special Forces loyal to President Laurent Gbagbo’s camp against the civilian population in Abidjan."