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Côte d'Ivoire: Displaced persons receive emergency aid

18-07-2014 Photo gallery

In May 2014, an armed group from Liberia attacked the village of Fétai, western Côte d'Ivoire. Thirteen people died and several were injured. Houses were destroyed and damage was extensive. Over 3,000 people fled to the small town of Grabo nearby, where the authorities and the humanitarian community set up a site to provide temporary accommodation for 1,000 of them. Working in conjunction with the Red Cross Society of Côte d'Ivoire, the ICRC put up tents, built showers and latrines and organized a water supply.

  • Displaced persons and aid workers shelter from the rain.

    • Camp for displaced persons, Grabo, Côte d'Ivoire.

      Displaced persons and aid workers shelter from the rain. Volunteers from the local branch of the Red Cross Society of Côte d'Ivoire are in charge of the overall organization of the site and its day-to-day management, especially the welcoming and registration of displaced persons. The National Society also operates night patrols to keep the displaced persons safe.
      / CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / N. Chemli / v-p-ci-e-00376
  • The Red Cross Society of Côte d'Ivoire erects and maintains the tents. The first tents are soon ready, providing temporary shelter.

    • Camp for displaced persons, Grabo, Côte d'Ivoire.

      The Red Cross Society of Côte d'Ivoire erects and maintains the tents. The first tents are soon ready, providing temporary shelter.
      / CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / N. Chemli / v-p-ci-e-00377
  • A supply of drinking water is organized.

    • Camp for displaced persons, Grabo, Côte d'Ivoire.

      A supply of drinking water is organized.
      / CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / N. Chemli / v-p-ci-e-00378
  • Staff quickly set up latrines and showers.

    • Camp for displaced persons, Grabo, Côte d'Ivoire.

      Staff quickly set up latrines and showers.
      / CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / N. Chemli / v-p-ci-e-00379
  • The attack on the village of Fétai caused panic, with some people fleeing to Liberia. The ICRC rapidly enabled 15 people to restore contact with their families across the border, via a Red Cross team in Zwedru, Liberia.

    • Camp for displaced persons, Grabo, Côte d'Ivoire.

      The attack on the village of Fétai caused panic, with some people fleeing to Liberia. The ICRC rapidly enabled 15 people to restore contact with their families across the border, via a Red Cross team in Zwedru, Liberia.
      / CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / N. Chemli / v-p-ci-e-00388
  • This father was delighted to be able to speak to his 10-year-old son, who fled to Liberia with a neighbour.
  • Red Cross volunteers set up a community kitchen with the aid of the displaced persons. The ICRC and the Danish Refugee Council are providing basic food.
  • The French Red Cross is organizing health care for the sick and wounded. Children receive particular care.
  • Children queue up for vaccinations.
  • Volunteers from the Red Cross Society of Côte d'Ivoire organize games for the children, to keep them occupied and help them smile again.
  • These displaced children can forget their problems for a while and enjoy playing in the sand.
  • The tents are all up and a well-organized camp is now in operation!
  • Mission accomplished for ICRC delegate Nabil Chemli, who poses here with a volunteer from the Red Cross Society of Côte d'Ivoire and the chairwoman of the Society's Grabo Branch.

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