Ivorian refugees crossing into Liberia. They had been on the move for two days. © CARE/Anders NordstogCARE International is assisting people who were forced to flee post election violence in Cote d'Ivoire and neighbouring countries.

Violence besieged the country for months following the election. Some 1,300 have died and more than 130,000 refugees fled to Liberia and 9,000 fled to Ghana. The country has been in the grip of a political crisis since a disputed election between Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara last year. The refugees’ needs consist mostly of food, clean water and sanitation services.

Among the first agencies to respond to the crisis in Grand Gedeh, Liberia, CARE distributed emergency supplies such as blankets and hygiene kits. The project aimed to decrease the risk of cholera, typhoid, yellow fever, and malaria and other waterborne diseases. 70 percent of these kits were provided to families headed by women. With funding from the British Government, CARE provided clean drinking water, sanitation and essential items for up to 15,000 displaced people and the families hosting them.

• 43 water points were rehabilitated providing water to the refugee and host communities.
• 140 units of washrooms have been constructed and completed for women and girls.
• 68 latrines have been built for displaced people and host community.
• 12,450 people received hygiene, sanitation and gender based violence awareness messages.
• 3,000 households received soap, mosquito nets, blankets, mats and other essential household items.
• CARE is conducting garbage collection in some areas.

Help with disaster relief: Donate to our Rapid Response Fund.