Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Duékoué (Agenzia Fides) - "In recent months, insecurity in the country has increased. Occasionally we find weapons in the streets and assaults are frequently carried out with a deadly weapon in the houses and on people. People are afraid". This is what don Cesar Fernandez, a Salesian missionary declares in a statement released by ANS on the situation in Côte d'Ivoire following the coming to power of Alassane Ouattara, who arrived after several months of armed struggle and many years of conflict. "The country’s economy has been affected by the crisis experienced. Food prices continue to increase and many people have lost their jobs. Many are hungry because they cannot access to food", continues the Salesian. In Abidjan, the economic capital of the country, "things are progressing slowly. Some wounds are healing, but coexistence is still difficult because there is so much resentment and desire for revenge", reports don Fernandez. In the Salesian mission of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, there are still 10 thousand refugees. The return of the displaced persons is still very slow and many of them have no place to go. In Côte d'Ivoire, the Salesian missions in Abidjan, Korhogo and Duékoué try to continue their work with street children, offering them an education that makes them citizens aware of their rights and their duties. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 06/09/2011)
