UNICEF appeals for more aid for Guinea

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) appealed on Monday for a further US $3.1 million to help refugees in Guinea and Guineans displaced within their own country in view of a weakening economy and continuing conflict in neighbouring Cote d'Ivoire and Liberia. UNICEF said that since a civil war erupted in Cote d'Ivoire in September, over 100,000 people had entered Guinea, including returning Guinean nationals, Ivorians and Liberians. And in March at least 7,000 people entered the country a day from Liberia, fleeing fighting between government troop and rebels, it added. "Guinea already played host to over 100,000 Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugees. The constant influx of returnees, 'transitees'and refugees is placing further strain on an already weak and over-burdened infrastructure," UNICEF said in a statement. "All refugee and transit camps are full. While the government will not approve new camps, it expanded the capacity of Laine camp again on 1 April to cope with the new influx of people." Priority requirements include the reintegration of 350 youths who were previously in the Guinean army, the reunification of 1,500 children with their families, the protection of 15,000 women and children from Cote d'Ivoire considered vulnerable to abuse, and the vaccination of 1.2 million children against yellow fever. Other requirements include the provision of schools and safe play areas for 31,000 displaced and refugee children aged 3-14. "The political and economic situation is not expected to improve in the region or in Guinea in the near future," UNICEF said. "Tensions remain high in the country as a whole as long term electricity and water shortages coupled with price rises in fuel and food have caused some public demonstrations of anger." UNICEF, noted that donor funding for humanitarian programmes Guinea was generally low. It had earlier appealed for $10.2m for protection, health, education, water and sanitation and emergency preparedness projects in the country this year, but had received just over $1m. Details of UNICEF's response to the situation in Guinea are available at: www.reliefweb.int