Humanitarian needs are enormous, says UN envoy

Enormous humanitarian needs resulting from the crisis in Cote d'Ivoire have put UN agencies and other aid organisations under extreme pressure to meet the needs of those affected, but they lack adequate capacity, UN humanitarian envoy for Cote d'Ivoire Carolyn McAskie told IRIN on Tuesday.

The agencies, the envoy said, were working under extremely difficult circumstances to meet pressing needs without enough funds to facilitate their efforts. "Funding remains a major constraint," she stressed.

McAskie, who was on mission on Tuesday and Wednesday to the country's hinterland, including Yamoussoukro, Bouake, Guiglo and Daloa, said that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on the ground and in touch with the affected populations including thousands of displaced persons, refugees and host communities, felt frustrated that the international community was not assisting them enough to alleviate the problems.

"There is need to develop a strategy between the humanitarian agencies and donor partners to ensure that funds and services are made available at the earliest possible time to those in need," she added.

During her meeting with the Mouvement Patriotic de Cote d'Ivoire (MPCI) the group committed itself to guarantee unimpeded humanitarian access to aid agencies.

Commenting on the general situation of the central town of Bouake, McAskie noted that the town was "very sad". "It is shut down and most roads are barricaded."

At Nicla camp near the western town of Guiglo, she assured the Liberian refugees: "I am very glad to be here but I am very sad see you in this situation." She urged the refugees to stay out of the conflict.