Arrivals from Cote d'Ivoire top 33,000

Some 28,000 Guinean nationals were registered at official border points in Guinea after arriving from Cote d’Ivoire between 27 September and 18 December, OCHA-Guinea reported on Monday, quoting figures provided by Guinean authorities. The largest number - 24,000 - entered Guinea at border points in southern Guinea's Lola Prefecture, which is close to the Danane area in western Cote d'Ivoire, scene of fighting between loyalist troops and rebels this month. They included about 9,170 Guineans who crossed over into Lola between 9 and 17 December. OCHA also reported that 407 Guineans were airlifted from Abidjan to Conakry, while a boat carrying 400-500 persons, mainly Guineans, was expected to arrive in Conakry from Abidjan within days. People of other African nationalities have also been going to Guinea from Cote d'Ivoire. Between 27 September and 17 December, approximately 5,450 arrived via official entry points in Lola Prefecture, including 1,967 who arrived between 9 and 17 December. Among the arrivals were about 2,000 Ivorians, 1,118 Malians, 1,100 Liberians, 786 Burkinabe, 286 Niger nationals and 73 Senegalese. However, OCHA said, complete and reliable data on the situation was difficult to obtain because, despite efforts by the Guinean authorities, UN system and NGOs, a coherent data-recording system covering all official entry points along the 610 km border with Cote d’Ivoire was not yet in place. Priorities Seeking resources to help Guinea's government relocate civilians stranded at the borders was among four priorities identified by an Inter-Agency Humanitarian Consultative Group, OCHA said. Another priority need identified by the group, which is chaired by the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Guinea, was the deployment of appropriate logistic capacities to avoid a concentration of people along the borders. Two other priorities were pinpointed: preserving a positive environment in Guinea by mobilising the resources needed for equitable provision of assistance among the various vulnerable groups (refugees, Guinean returnees and foreign nationals in transit); and reinforcing coordination mechanisms and capacity at the national and field levels.