Deputy Special Representative of UN Secretary-General in Cote d'Ivoire in charge of humanitarian affairs, Babacar Cisse on Friday 16 May 2014 accompanied an Ivorian government delegation led by the Minister of Solidarity, Family, Women and Children, Anne-Desire Ouloto to the far west town of Grabo, 540 km from Abidjan to assess the situation there following recent deadly attacks by unidentified gunmen on the town.



Mr.Babacar Cisse said the UN could not remain indifferent to the sad and unfortunate situation. « We have come to along with the heads of humanitarian agencies to assess the situation and lend support to government efforts to alleviate the plight of displaced persons. This assistance is in addition to what we are already doing at the security level, the strengthening of social cohesion, development and the stabilization of the zone,» he said.

The attacks of 15 May 2014 left a casualty of 13 persons including three members of the Ivorian Armed Forces and children and caused the displacement of about 3000 people.



For her part, the Ivorian Minister of Solidarity expressed government's compassion with the population. « We hope to grasp the reality of the situation in this zone because the government feels bad when the people of Grabo and its environs suffer,» she said.

The visiting delegation held discussions with the local population at the end of which certain recommendations were made that would be implemented by a crisis management committee. Recommendations included the creation of a military base, building of a road along the river, setting up a community radio, stepping up sensitization campaigns for the return of Ivorian refugees in Liberia and putting in place a mechanism for the fight against the manipulation of the youths by the elites.