Misery for tens of thousands in Ivory Coast as fighting continues

French forces today destroyed military vehicles belonging to troops loyal to Ivory Coast's
Laurent Gbagbo during a helicopter-borne mission that rescued Japan's ambassador. The rescue came as forces loyal to presidential claimant Alassane Ouattara laid siege to Gbagbo's own residence nearby.

Fighting also continued in Abidjan as Ouattara's forces tried to unseat Gbagbo, who has refused to cede power after losing a November election to Ouattara.

Meanwhile,

As the conflict continues the International Committee of the Red Cross has warned that the humanitarian situation in the country is worsening.

It’s really desperate, I mean the humanitarian needs are really huge and they are growing I would say by the day”, says ICRC spokesperson for West Africa, Steven Anderson.

He also told Lydia O’Kane that in the west of the country the need for humanitarian aid remains considerable. Listen to full interview here.