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Photo Gallery Running for Shelter in Côte D'Ivoire

UNHCR has expressed its mounting concern about civilians trapped in the Abobo district of Cote d'Ivoire's commercial centre, Abidjan, following days of fierce fighting between forces loyal to rival presidential candidates. The situation there remains grim. Many of the 1.5 million inhabitants of Abobo have fled, but armed groups are reportedly preventing others from leaving. UNHCR is particularly concerned about vulnerable people, such as the sick and the elderly, who may not be able to leave.

In total, some 70,000 Ivorian refugees have now fled to eastern Liberia since last November's presidential election.

A family hurries away from the Abobo neighbourhood in search of safety.These women and children wait for a ride to take them to a safer part of Abidjan.Many people took advantage of a lull in the intense fighting to flee the Abobo neighborhood. After fleeing from Abobo to relative safety by foot, a group of people on Abidjan’s Boulevard Latrille load their belongings into a taxi to get further away from the mounting danger. The Abobo suburb of northern Abidjan has been the centre of intense fighting between forces loyal to the rival candidates in November’s presidential election. These people carry their belongings as they leave the beleaguered district.A young mother takes care of her sick two-year-old boy, who is believed to have cholera. They fled the Abobo neighbourhood after being caught for a week in the middle of heavy fighting.The remains of a torched house in the Guere neighbourhood of Duekoue town, western Côte d'Ivoire. Several districts of the town were hit by inter-ethnic clashes. A forcibly displaced woman washes dishes after making sure that all members of her family - including her granddaughter (right) – have had some food.This forcibly displaced woman spoke to UNHCR at the Catholic Mission in Duekoue, where she had sought shelter.Leontine and her two children at the Catholic Mission in the western Côte d'Ivoire town of Duekoue. They left their home village in anticipation of attacks in January. / UNHCR / H. Caux / February 12, 2011.Heavy rain destroyed several makeshift shelters in the grounds of the Catholic Mission in Duekoue, leaving families to sleep out in the open. The refugee agency then quickly erected 30 tents for the most vulnerable people. / UNHCR / H. Caux / February 11, 2011.Duval, aged 11, waits for the anti-allergy cream on his head and chest to dry. He and his parents found refuge with a relative in the town of Duekoue. UNHCR / H. Caux / February 12, 2011.Displaced women rest with their children in a school room in Danane, western Côte d'Ivoire. Tables and chairs have been pushed to one side to make space for them to lay their mats on the floor. UNHCR / H. Caux / February 13, 2010A young woman takes care of her two-year-old niece while the girl’s mother looks for food. They left their village on December 16 after it was attacked by armed men and found refuge at the Catholic Mission in Duekoue, western Côte d'Ivoire. Most houses in their village were looted and burned. UNHCR / H. Caux / February 12, 2011.A grandmother and her young relatives rest after heavy rains on February 10 destroyed their makeshift shelter at the Catholic Mission in Duekoue. UNHCR / H. Caux / February 11, 2011.Desperate displaced women fight to get some firewood that was donated to the Catholic Mission in Duekoue. Many of the displaced sleep in the open at night and making a fire is the only way to keep warm. UNHCR / H. Caux / February 16, 2011.Mleki (right) is generously hosting 17 people in her house, including Jean (left), a village school head. "I took in displaced people during the [civil] war in 2002 as well, and then - like now - they became like family to me. I don't have enough rooms for everyone, so some people have to sleep on the terrace. I buy them food, of course, but soon I will run out of money." UNHCR / H. Caux / February 12, 2011.These forcibly displaced children in Duekoue wait while their mothers prepare food. UNHCR / H. Caux / February 11, 2011.Colette and his granddaughter, Samina, found refuge with a relative in Duekoue, western Côte d'Ivoire. Colette and Samina escaped an attack on their village on December 16 and were separated while fleeing. They have not heard from Samina' mother. UNHCR / H. Caux / February 12, 2011.Twelve-year- old Samuel concentrates during a French lesson at a school in Niambly, near Duekoue. "Being an albino, I am different myself, so I am happy to have other different kids in the school," he said, referring to displaced children who have joined his class. UNHCR / H. Caux / February 17, 2011Internally displaced children leave class at the Protestant Mission in Duekoue, western Côte d'Ivoire, where they have enrolled. UNHCR / H. Caux / February 11, 2011.