Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abidjan (Agenzia Fides) - In Man (west Côte d'Ivoire) the social and economic infrastructure, which has been in a state of decline since 2002, is taking an enormous hit as a result of the violence from the political crisis surrounding the refusal of outgoing President Laurent Gbagbo to recognise the victory of Alassane Ouattara, in the presidential vote on 28 November 2010.
“In the Diocesi of Man, 586 km from Abidjan, the city of Duékoué has been the scene of inter-ethnic clashes during the week of 3 – 8 January,” says Bishop Gaspard Beby Gneba of Man to Fides. “The clashes have caused serious damage, loss of human life and led to many migratory movements, both internally and abroad.”
In particular, explains Bishop Gneba, “in just Duékoué alone, three places from the start have welcomed more than 30,000 displaced people, of whom 15,000 were received just by the Salesians at the Catholic Mission of St Therese. At present, several of the displaced have reached their relatives in the south, but there are still more than 22,000 displaced in the centres in Duékoué.”
According to the Bishop, the other villages that can accommodate people fleeing the violence are: Man, that after the departure of various displaced to neighbouring countries (Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso) will welcome 1,013 people (606 women and 407 men, including 223 children under 5 years); Danané, where 3,800 people are accommodated in 4 centres and with families; in villages near Danané, on the border with Liberia and Guinea, many displaced are being welcomed; in the villages near Zouan Hounien and Bin Houyé (on the border with Liberia) there are 10,800 displaced.
“The emergency measures are ensured by diocesan Caritas, with the poor means that it has at its disposal, in collaboration with UNICEF and WFP. However, the voluntary support is not sufficient to implement all the necessary humanitarian aid,” said Bishop Gneba, who is appealing primarily for the 7,500 displaced people in the Mission of Duékoué. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 12/3/2011)
