Relief and Recovery Report from the Ivory Coast ^Featured

Final Relief and Recovery Report from the Ivory Coast - The civil war in the Ivory Coast’s capital city of Abidjan took the lives of 3,000 citizens. The fighting lasted from January to May 2011. There were 1,750 members of the Abidjan Church of Christ caught up in the middle of civil war. Thanks to the generous donations from ICOC churches across North America, immediately after the airport opened, we brought funds in to buy food, water and medical supplies for the disciples, local residents and volunteers.  The sound of AK-47’s, mortars, and rocket-propelled grenades exploding could still be heard when HOPE worldwide ‘s U.S. staff arrived.  The HOPE worldwide Ivory Coast staff quickly organized relief efforts as well as distributing the food, water, and medical supplies purchased with your financial gifts. Many residents lost their jobs.  Countless homes and apartments were ransacked. Scores of cars were stolen at gunpoint. Despite these desperate circumstances, the HOPE worldwide AIDS Clinic remained open.

Income Generation Efforts
Since many of Abidjan’s businesses and companies were destroyed or closed, the disciples needed employment, vocational training, or help creating a small business to support themselves and their families. HOPE worldwide hired a management and coordination staff and established a grant application process. Vocational training was provided for 381 members of the Abidjan Church; 28 group businesses were launched; and 128 individual businesses were established.  The businesses created included beauty salons, cellphone kiosks and Internet cafes – to name a few. Jobs were created for 339 individuals that supports 321 of their children with food and school supplies. The impact was life-changing for hundreds of Ivoirians and their families.

A Special Note of Thanks
We want to thank Dr. Solange Balou, the Country Director of HOPE worldwide Ivory Coast for her tremendous effort in coordinating these programs and the Management Committee that assisted her. Francis Dasse and his wife, Paul, lead the Abidjan Church of Christ and they supplied leadership, counseling, and spiritual guidance critical to all these relief and recovery efforts. We also want to thank disciples around the world for their prayers and generosity. 

Throughout the civil war the HOPE worldwide AIDS Clinic in Abidjan remained open and their orphan support programs were soon restarted. Over the past three years, HOPE worldwide Ivory Coast has assisted more than 18,000 orphans and vulnerable children. They deserve our prayers and support. Their staff and volunteers are real heroes and great examples of devotion and commitment. Merci beaucoup!