Media Home
UN Web TV
UN Audiovisual Library
UN PhotoUnifeed
LIBERIA / IVORIAN REFUGEES AID
STORY: LIBERIA / IVORIAN REFUGEES AID
TRT: 2:38
SOURCE: UNICEF
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / FRENCH / NATS
DATELINE: 8-11 JANUARY 2011, NIMBA COUNTY, LIBERIA
8 JANUARY 2010, DUOPLAY VILLAGE, NIMBA COUNTY, LIBERIA
1. Wide shot, refugees sitting under tree
2. Med shot, refugees sitting under tree
3. Med shot, refugees sitting under tree
4. Wide shot, refugees in school class room shelter
5. Close up, refugee child lying on floor
6. Med shot, woman preparing pumpkin
7. Close up, pot cooking on fire
11 JANUARY 2011, GBLARLAY VILLAGE, NIMBA COUNTY, LIBERIA
8. SOUNBITE (English) Mullay J. Sandi, Supervisor, Liberian Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission, Nimba County:
“You know, we just came from war, and the agricultural situation here is somewhat, like, lacking. The food that is produced is very small, ok, so food is the problem.”
9 JANUARY 2011, KISIPLAY VILLAGE, NIMBA COUNTY, LIBERIA
9. Wide shot, women gathering water
10. Med shot, women gathering water
11. Close up, water bucket collecting water
12. Med shot, pulling up water bucket
13. Close up, pouring water into transport bucket
14. SOUNDBITE (French) Elise Batou, 17 year old refugee from Cote d’Ivoire:
“The pumps are sorted, but here, it is not protected. It’s like this – we come, we collect it, and then we drink it. It’s not protected. Animals fall in it – and there are microbes.”
11 JANUARY 2011, GBLARLAY VILLAGE, NIMBA COUNTY, LIBERIA
15. Close up, “No Fees” for Liberian Health Care sign
16. Wide shot, hallway with pregnant patients waiting
17. Med shot, hallways with pregnant patients waiting
18. Close up, pregnant woman on examining table
19. SOUNDBITE (English) Peter Towah, registered nurse at the Gblarlay Clinic:
“When these pregnant women are not actually taking in a balanced diet, or the most nutritious food that they are supposed to take in, it will also have an impact on the fetus.”
6 JANUARY 2011, MONROVIA, LIBERIA
20. Wide shot, UNICEF offices from street
21. Close up, UNICEF sign
22. Med shot, Deputy Representative at computer
23. SOUNBITE (English) Fazlul Haque, Deputy Representative of UNICEF, Liberia:
“What we are doing is providing water and sanitation facilities - there is still a community level assessment of malnourishment is in progress now – immunization is being done and we have also identified the unaccompanied children for their reunification.”
11 JANUARY 2011, GBLARLAY VILLAGE, NIMBA COUNTY, LIBERIA
24. Med shot, UNHCR trucks crossing bridge
25. Med shot, UNHCR truck with buckets and jerry cans being removed
26. Med shot, high energy biscuits
27. Close up, high energy biscuits
28. Wide shot, refugees waiting for distribution
29. Med shot, refugee mother with baby waiting for distribution
30. Close up, infant
Amid daily reports of incitement to hatred and violence, human rights violations and attacks against civilians and peacekeepers, there are fears that Côte d’Ivoire could return to civil war.
According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), an estimated 25,000 individuals from the Côte d’Ivoire have crossed the border into Liberia following the contested presidential elections there last November. More than 600 people continue to cross the border every day.
Of these refugees, 80 percent are women and children, and over 20 percent are under the age of 5. Many are staying with crowded host families and schools, with access to few resources in already impoverished villages.
SOUNDBITE (English) Mullay J. Sandi, Supervisor, Liberian Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission, Nimba County:
“You know, we just came from war, and the agricultural situation here is somewhat, like, lacking. The food that is produced is very small, ok, so food is the problem.”
Villages have become crowded, and water and sanitation resources are severely strained. Nearly half of the water pumps in the host villages are broken, and the working pumps are pushed beyond capacity, forcing refugees and Liberians alike to use unsafe, water for drinking and cooking.
SOUNDBITE (French) Elise Batou, 17 year old refugee from Côte d’Ivoire:
“The pumps are sorted, but here, it is not protected. It’s like this, we come, we collect it, and then we drink it. It’s not protected. Animals fall in it and there are germs.”
Outpatient care in these border villages doubled over night, and Liberia’s free health care system is being stretched beyond capacity. Nearly 10 percent of refugee children are suffering from malnutrition, and pregnant and lactating mothers are filling the health clinics.
SOUNDBITE (English) Peter Towah, registered nurse at the Gblarlay Clinic:
“When these pregnant women are not actually taking in a balanced diet, or the most nutritious food that they are supposed to take in, it will also have an impact on the foetus.”
UNICEF and local and International partners are responding to the crisis, helping with the most elemental needs of both the refugee and host populations.
SOUNDBITE (English) Fazlul Haque, Deputy Representative, UNICEF Liberia:
“What we are doing is providing water and sanitation facilities. There is still a community level assessment of malnourishment in progress now. Immunization is being done and we have also identified the unaccompanied children for their reunification.”
UNHCR has begun distribution of blankets, mosquito nets and other essentials to over 3000 refugees, with food distribution expected in the coming days.
UNICEF and partners are assisting this vulnerable population, knowing that if the crisis is not resolved, the refugee numbers could increase exponentially overnight.
Côte d’Ivoire, the world's biggest cocoa producer, has been in turmoil since early December when President Laurent Gbagbo refused leave office despite opposition leader Alassane Ouattara's UN-certified victory in November's run-off election. Ouattara, who has set up base in the Golf Hotel in Abidjan, has been recognized by the international community as the West African country's duly elected president.
Download
There is no media available to download.
