Ivorian humanitarian crisis emerging?

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- A humanitarian crisis is emerging in the Ivory Coast as thousands of residents stream across the border to Liberia, the U.N. Refugee Agency said.

The international community is bracing for the possibility that the Ivory Coast could descend into all out war after seven weeks of political violence forced at least 50,000 people to flee to neighboring Liberia, the United Nations' humanitarian news agency IRIN reports.

Incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo has refused to hand over power to Alassane Ouattara, the candidate recognized by the United Nations as the winner of a November election meant to unite a country divided by civil war in 2002.

Police officials told IRIN on condition of anonymity that reports of violence by men loyal to Gbagbo were overstated, though much of the military remains loyal to the incumbent.

U.N. humanitarian officials called for reinforcements to help civilians crossing the border. Many hospital workers are among those fleeing the violence, IRIN adds.

Blaise Blon Siki, a leader from the Ivorian city of Man, told IRIN the humanitarian situation in the Ivory Coast was dire.

"We need all the help we can get here," he said.