LIBERIA / COTE D’IVOIRE REFUGEES

UNICEF supports health and education for Ivorian refugee children in Liberia. The agency estimates 13,000 children are seeking refuge, more than half under the age of five. At least 25,000 people have crossed into the country since the political crisis. UNICEF

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:31
• Production Date: 19 January 2011
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND - UNICEF
• Subject Topical: REFUGEES; DISPLACED PERSONS; HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
• Geographic Subject: COTE D'IVOIRE; LIBERIA
• MAMS Id: U110119c

Description

STORY: LIBERIA / COTE D’IVOIRE REFUGEES
TRT: 2:31
SOURCE: UNICEF
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / FRENCH / NATS

DATELINE: 8, 10 JANUARY 2011, NIMBA COUNTY, LIBERIA

Shotlist

8 JANUARY 2011, DUOPLAY, SOUTHERN NIMBA COUNTY, LIBERIA

1. Med shot, children sitting on floor in a crowded room
2. Close up, toddler sitting in crowded room
3. Wide shot, house with mothers and children exiting

10 JANUARY 2011, KINPLAY, NIMBA COUNTY, LIBERIA

4. Med shot, vaccination staff at table
5. Med shot, staffing filling in paperwork
6. Close up, paperwork
7. Med shot, vaccinator administering vaccine to child
8. Close up, child receiving vaccine
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Edward Gono, vaccinator with the Ministry of Health, Liberia:
“The Ministry of Health does not know the vaccination status of the people at their home. So the got to make sure they protect the child bearing mothers and children against all diseases.”

8 JANUARY 2011, DUOPLAY, SOUTHERN NIMBA COUNTY, LIBERIA

10. Wide shot, school used as shelter for refugees
11. Tilt down inside school shelter
12. Med shot, children playing inside school
13. SOUNDBITE (French) Fugence, eight-year-old refugee living in Duoplay (Southern Nimba County):
“There is no school here, that’s why I can’t go to school.”
14. Med shot, children playing inside school
15. SOUNDBITE (French) Fugence, eight-year-old, refugee living in Duoplay (Southern Nimba County):
“When I finish pumping the water, I stack the rice. Then I bathe.”

10 JANUARY 2011, DUOPLAY, NORTHERN NIMBA COUNTY, LIBERIA

16. Wide shot, UNICEF cars on road
17. Med shot, UNICEF cars on road
18. Wide shot, Duoplay Elementary and Semi High School sign
19. Wide shot, children sitting in class
20. Wide shot, child walking up to chalkboard
21. Med shot, child learning alphabet at chalkboard
22. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Flomo, Protection Officer/Education, UNICEF:
“First they will have the option to make sure that they will interact with one another, and it will be a place where they will come, there will be some activities, recreational and sport activities, and it will help to de-traumatize them, while the teachers are working along with them.”
23. Med shot, student sitting in class
24. Med shot, student doing calculation at chalkboard
25. SOUNDBITE (French) Olivier Tieu, 15-year-old refugee in Duoplay (northern Nimba County (different from other Duoplay):
“At least here in Liberia today, UNICEF came to help us to return to class. Truly, it makes me very happy.”
26. Med shot, young students sitting in class
27. Close up, students looking at chalkboard
28. Med shot, girl at chalkboard counting
29. Close up, numbers on chalkboard

Storyline

At least 25,000 people from Cote d’Ivoire have crossed into Liberia country since the political crisis which began last November.

The agency estimates 13,000 children are seeking refuge, more than half under the age of five.

They are living in over-crowded houses and schools. Food is scarce and health risks are high, infants are particularly vulnerable to disease. The Liberian government, with the support of UNICEF and other partners, is going village to village to vaccinate children and mothers for polio and yellow fever.

SOUNDBITE (English) Edward Gono, vaccinator with the Ministry of Health, Liberia:
“The ministry of Health does not know the vaccination status of the people at their home. So the got to make sure they protect the child bearing mothers and children against all diseases.”

For the older refugee children, classes have been completely disrupted. Local schools often serve as a shelter, rather than a learning space. Eight-year-old Fugence has been living in this two room school for the last six weeks. He is eager to attend classes, but he has no options.

SOUNDBITE (French) Fugence, eight-year-old refugee living in Duoplay (Southern Nimba County):
“There is no school here, that’s why I can’t go to school.”
To fill his days and his stomach, Fugence works.

SOUNDBITE (French) Fugence, eight-year-old refugee living in Duoplay (Southern Nimba County):
“When I finish pumping the water, I stack the rice. Then I bathe.”

UNICEF’s team is on the ground assessing the education needs of school-aged refugee children. Teachers who are themselves refugees have been recruited to continue the Cote d’Ivoire curriculum in Liberian schools after regular local school sessions.

Some 100 refugee children are now back in school. Beginning regular schooling and a recreational routine will could help reduce the trauma of displacement.

SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Flomo, Protection Officer/Education, UNICEF:
“First they will have the option to make sure that they will interact with one another, and it will be a place where they will come, there will be some activities, recreational and sport activities, and it will help to de-traumatize them, while the teachers are working along with them.”

Distribution of UNICEF recreational kits has already begun and educational materials are on their way.

SOUNDBITE: (French) Olivier Tieu, 15 year old refugee in Duoplay (northern Nimba County):
“At least here in Liberia today, UNICEF came to help us to return to class. Truly, it makes me very happy.”