IRC marks more than two decades of bold action and community impact in Côte d'Ivoire

Abidjan- November 14th, 2023, November 13, 2023 —  The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is looking back at more than 20 years in Côte d'Ivoire since its response to the effects of the politico-military crisis on local communities, marking two decades of dedication to meet the needs of communities affected by armed conflict and socio-economic challenges. After a temporary intervention in Cote d'Ivoire from 1992 to 1996 to support Liberian refugees, the IRC opened a permanent program in 2003.

The country team has established a good working relationship with national authorities and over 20 Ivorian civil society organizations. With the support of our local and international partners, the IRC has been able have been able to provide essential services in the areas of social cohesion, economic and social insertion or reintegration, health, education and child protection, water, sanitation, protection and empowerment of women and girls, economic recovery, and development.

Over the past two decades, the IRC in Côte d'Ivoire has led numerous initiatives that have changed the lives of thousands of people in Côte d'Ivoire. Among these actions, the IRC has supported the establishment of education programs for children, community health centers, drinking water supply systems, vocational training for young people and protection programs for women and children.

Dr. Aissatou Baldé, the IRC’s Country Director in Côte d'Ivoire:

"This commemoration is also a moment to take stock of our actions. Over more than 20 years, the IRC in Côte d'Ivoire has carried out more than 200 projects. These actions have directly or indirectly affected around fourteen million people, 60% of whom are women.”

Commemorating today more than 20 years of presence in Côte d'Ivoire, we thank the national authorities, local partners, and community leaders with whom we work. Thanks also to all our clients for their empowering involvement. We are also grateful to our donors. The IRC remains resolutely committed to sustainable development and to improving the living conditions of the populations we serve" declared Dr Aissatou Baldé, the IRC Country Director in Côte d'Ivoire.”

The IRC's flagship programs in Côte d'Ivoire in recent years include PRO-Jeunes and J'AIME, which focus on youth and their employability. We have trained more than 5,000 young people in marketable trades including Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), agriculture and fish farming, with particular emphasis on training young girls in non-traditional trades such as renewable energy, and over 2,000 young people have been trained to develop income-generating activities (IGAs).

Other priority areas for the IRC in Côte d'Ivoire are health (HIV awareness and prevention, epidemiological surveillance, training of community health workers), and water-hygiene-sanitation, with more than 100 drinking water points made available. These water points serve many families who had no access to drinking water near their community.

CONTACTS:

For media in Côte d'Ivoire (Abidjan): Dimitri KOHOUSSA, Grants & Communication Officer Tel: +225 05 46 07 41 81 - Email: [email protected]

For regional media (Dakar -Senegal): Marie Vianey AFANGBEDJI, Regional Communication Manager for West Africa Tel: +221 78 532 91 15 - Email: [email protected]