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News note

UNICEF calls attention to alarming conditions of children in north-eastern Côte d'Ivoire

Abidjan, March 26, 2003 - UNICEF is deeply concerned about the worsening condition of children in Côte d'Ivoire, especially in rural areas, often cut off and isolated by insecurity. Six months after the outbreak of the conflict the situation of children in the North-eastern districts of Bondoukou and Bouna in particular is alarming.

A recent assessment team of UNICEF that visited Bondoukou and Bouna (March 19-22) found near catastrophic conditions prevailing there. «The health care system has broken down. Most of the medical personnel have fled. There are no drugs in the health facilities. Much of the Cold Chain and other medical equipment have fallen into disrepair», Herbert Schembri, team leader and UNICEF senior programme coordinator, said. « It's unacceptable that no child has been vaccinated in Bouna for six months. The situation is alarming», Schembri added.

UNICEF is sending in the coming few days a convoy of medical supply to Bondoukou and Bouna as a first step to restarting its comprehensive support activities in the region prior to the war.

In February UNICEF opened a sub-office in Bouake to better coordinate its activities in health & nutrition, water & environmental sanitation, basic education and child protection in the northern parts of the occupied zones.

Yamoussoukro was opened as a sub-office at the same time and is now acting as an important logistics hub for UNICEF operations in central, western and northern Cote d'Ivoire,

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For further information please call: Patricia Dailly Ajavon,
Tel: Abidjan: 20208153 & 20208110