05-03-2012 - They are wives, daughters, mothers or grandmothers. The women of Côte d'Ivoire continue to pay the price for a conflict in which they had no part. Following the post-electoral crisis that degenerated into armed conflict, countless Ivorians seeking safe refuge fled to other parts of the country or into Liberia and other countries in the region. Months later, those who return find homes destroyed, belongings stolen and wells contaminated. Many are still separated from their families. The ICRC is focusing on helping those who have returned and reducing the impact of the conflict.
WUNRN
ICRC - International Committee of
the Red Cross
http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/photo-gallery/2012/cote-d-ivoire-photo-gallery-2012-03-05.htm -
Website Link Includes Photo Gallery.
COTE D'IVOIRE - WOMEN REBUILD
SHATTERED LIVES AFTER CONFLICTS
Médibli,
Over the
years, the women of the cooperative had managed to buy tools and equipment to
help boost their income. Then, in 2011, most villagers had to flee. When they
returned, all the cooperative's assets had been stolen; their tools, equipment
and stocks of food were all gone. In October 2011, these women gathered again
and set up a new cooperative, this time under the name of "Toukira,"
which means "the war has ended."