LIBERIA / COTE D’IVOIRE REFUGEES

A dozen new shelters are built every day in Liberia's Bahn refugee camp. Eventually there will be 3,000 shelters for some of the many civilians who have fled from neighbouring Côte d'Ivoire. UN officials say 85,000 Ivorians are now living in Liberia. UNHCR

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:37
• Production Date: 11 March 2011
• Asset Language: Original
• Subject Topical: REFUGEES; DISPLACED PERSONS; HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
• Geographic Subject: COTE D'IVOIRE; LIBERIA
• MAMS Id: U110311c

Description

STORY: LIBERIA / COTE D’IVOIRE REFUGEES
TRT: 2:37
SOURCE: UNHCR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: / ENGLISH / FRENCH /NATS

DATLINE: 21-22 FEBRUARY, 2011 CAMP BAHN, LIBERIA

Shotlist

1. Various shots, Camp Bahn under construction
2. Med shot, Francois Ahzogon walking in the camp
3. SOUNDBITE (French) Francois Ahzogon, Ivorian Refugee:
“We left Cote d’Ivoire because of the election, the vote. There are two presidents now. It is incomprehensible. That is why we fled. We were scared. We didn’t know what was going to happen to us, so we preferred flee. We don’t know what the future holds for us. This situation is unimaginable. We have never seen two presidents run one single country.”
4. Wide shot, Francois Ahzogon walking in the camp
5. Various shots, camp under construction
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sally Wilson, Norwegian Refugee Council:
“We are trying to put people together who come from the same area. This is often the case. They are trying to continue the normalcy of their lives.”
7. Various shots, UNHCR trucks leaving the village to go to the camp
8. SOUNDBITE (French) Ivan Sturm, UNHCR Spokesperson:
“We are racing against time. The rainy season is at hand. We have about 45-50 days to evacuate people, then access to the villages will be much harder.”
9. Med shot, Francois Ahzogon and his son
10. Med shot, shoes in front of their house
11. Med shot, Francois Ahzogon looking through the window
12. Med shot, kid drawing
13. SOUNDBITE (French) Francois Ahzogon, Ivorian Refugee:
“UNHCR gave us a home, a tarp, and food. I am tailor. If I could get a sowing machine, I could work. That would be good. Right now I have nothing to do.”
14. Various shots, Francois Ahzogon sowing
15. Various shots, camp under construction
16. Various shots, life in the camp
17. Wide shot, sunset

Storyline

A dozen shelters are built everyday here at Camp Bahn, each housing one family. And they keep coming.

Eventually there will be 3,000 shelters for those who fled the violence in Cote d’Ivoire.

These refugees left their homes last December. Initially they stayed with host families in remote Liberian villages, but when a more permanent solution was needed, this camp was erected.

François Ahzogan left Côte d’ Ivoire shortly after the elections.

SOUNDBITE (French) Francois Ahzogon, Ivorian Refugee:
“We left Cote d’Ivoire because of the election, the vote. There are two presidents now. It is incomprehensible. That is why we fled. We were scared. We didn’t know what was going to happen to us, so we preferred flee. We don’t know what the future holds for us. This situation is unimaginable. We have never seen two presidents run one single country.”

Ahzogon voted for the losing President, Laurent Gbagbo. His choice made him feel unsafe in his own country.

UNHCR is working with the Norwegian Refugee Council to set up this camp, carved out of the forest.

It is being divided into block areas to create communities.

SOUNDBITE (English) Sally Wilson, Norwegian Refugee Council:
“We are trying to put people together who come from the same area. This is often the case. They are trying to continue the normalcy of their lives.”

UNHCR staff is working to get as many people transferred from the villages to the camp.

SOUNDBITE (French) Ivan Sturm, UNHCR Spokesperson:
“We are racing against time. The rainy season is at hand. We have about 45-50 days to evacuate people, then access to the villages will be much harder.”

Ahzogan and his family now have their own shelter. He acknowledges they will not be able to go home for awhile. His next challenge is to find a way to make a bit of money.

SOUNDBITE (French) Francois Ahzogon, Ivorian Refugee:
“UNHCR gave us a home, a tarp, and food. I am tailor. If I could get a sowing machine, I could work. That would be good. Right now I have nothing to do.”

The crisis in Côte d’Ivoire has worsened over the last few months. Despite various mediation efforts, the incumbent president shows no signs of leaving. The influx of arrivals continues, indicating that a second camp may be needed. UN officials say 85,000 Ivorian refugees are now in Liberia.