Second day of Carolyn McAskie's mission to Côte d'Ivoire

Today the United Nations Country Team briefed Ms. Carolyn McAskie, Humanitarian Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for the crisis in Côte d'Ivoire, on the humanitarian challenges for the country and the sub-region including the limited capacity of the UN to address the crisis and the lack of respect for the victims of the crisis. She also shared the concerns of humanitarian actors with representatives of the diplomatic community including the Ambassadors of Canada, the United States and France.
During consultations with Mr. Abou Drahamane Sangaré, Minister of Foreign Affairs and acting Prime Minister, Ms. McAskie stressed the need for an enhanced understanding and respect for the role of the United Nations in Côte d'Ivoire. She also raised the importance of the government's role in the provision of emergency relief to those in need regardless of their location as well as its responsibility regarding the protection of civilians including Liberian refugees, IDPs and relief workers. Relief agencies are trying to address life saving needs of some some 50,000 refugees, 1 million IDPs and their host families in Côte d'Ivoire.

Abidjan, 17 January 2003.