UNHCR appeals for US $29 million

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Friday appealed to the international community for US $29 million to cover the needs of some 163,000 people liable to be affected by the six-month-old Ivorian crisis in 2003. The amount, which is an extension of an initial $6.1 million requested to cover three months of assistance in 2002, would be used primarily for transport, logistics and infrastructure, protection, monitoring of borders and domestic items. The target population represents both refugees and returnees who could affected by the crisis, UNHCR said in a briefing on Friday in Geneva. Among other activities the agency plans to establish new camps in Liberia. It also wants to continue the repatriation of Liberians who say their security is not guaranteed in Cote d'Ivoire. UNHCR is already assisting some 120,000 people displaced by the fighting. The current caseload includes at least 40,000 refugees who fled Cote d'Ivoire for neighbouring countries, mainly Liberia and Guinea. More than 40,000 Liberian refugees have also returned to Liberia, despite the instability there. According to the agency, some 35,000 Liberians remain in Cote d'Ivoire. UNHCR said it was still trying to find a new site for them in Cote d'Ivoire or elsewhere. The amount requested by UNHCR will be part of an upcoming UN consolidated inter-agency appeal for Cote d'Ivoire and its five neighours. UNHCR's full statement