Ivoirian Refugees Flee Into Liberian Towns

Ivoirian Refugees Flee Into Liberian Towns

More than 16,000 Ivoirians have fled their country to neighbouring Liberia since the November 28 election, in which incumbent Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara are claiming victory.

Reports say the refugees are leaving out of fears that an ugly dispute over who won the vote would rekindle the civil war of 2002-03. S

The UN estimates and is preparing for the number to double to 30,000 and is airlifting food from emergency stocks, readying shelters as well as racing to improve access to clean water to prevent the spread of disease.

The refugees, arriving in their hundreds each day say many are sleeping in the open and have little to eat.

''We are appealing to the international community to help us with food and shelter, we have no food. How do you expect us to live?'' asked Mcgbein Sammie Atu, appointed spokesman for the refugees in Old Luguatuo.

Laurent Gbagbo has refused to give in to international pressure to step down after last month's election in Cote d'Ivoire , despite provisional results showing his rival Alassane Ouattara with an eight percentage-point win.

On the brink of genocide

West African regional bloc ECOWAS has threatened to oust him by force if he doesn't leave quietly and the rebels still holding Cote d'Ivoire 's north after the civil war have said they are ready to fight.

A Ouattara-appointed ambassador to the UN said this week the country is on the ‘brink of genocide' .

While there have been no reports of refugees moving into other Cote d'Ivoire neighbours, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent said on Thursday it was seeking donations to help prepare for the possibility.

"Given the continued political crisis, an influx of people is also possible in other countries bordering Cote d'Ivoire , such as Burkina Faso , Mali and Ghana ," it said.

The standoff turned violent in mid-December when pro-Ouattara marchers tried to seize the state broadcasting building and clashed with security forces loyal to Gbagbo in a confrontation that left at least 20 people dead.

Another 150 have died since, according to the UN, which has condemned evidence of human rights abuses, including killings, torture and kidnappings.

EU-UN Recognise Ouattara Ambassadors

Gbagbo has accused western powers of orchestrating a conspiracy against him, after the nation's top court run by one of his allies overturned the provisional elections results to give him a victory.

The international community, including the European Union, The United nations and regional bloc, ECOWAS have recognised Ouattara and his newly- appointed envoy and cabinet.

NAN/Yinka