"More than 13,000 people have sought sanctuary in makeshift camps in the town of Duekoue, a rise of 10,000 in just the past week. And the local hospital is packed with patients with machete and gunshot wounds - victims on all sides of the political divide," a correspondent reports about the situation in Ivory Coast.
For the first time since the civil war erupted eight years ago, Ivory Coast finally held its presidential elections. The elections had been pushed back numerous times since the peace accords were signed in 2007, and the UN was charged with recognizing the next president of Ivory Coast. After the elections of November 2010, the UN declared Alassan Outarra, former prime minister and preferred candidate of rebel forces from the Northern part of Cote d'Ivoire, as the new president. However, the Constitutional Commission of Cote d'Ivoire declared the incumbent president and representative of the southern part of Cote d'Ivoire, Laurent Gbagbo, as the new president. The commission recognized Gbagbo on the basis that half a million votes should not have been counted. The Ivorian commission alleges that voting districts in Gbagbo's home region were influenced by methods of intimidation, violence, and were therefore, unfair. The result is that the country has two presidents, one recognized by the international community, and the other recognized by the Constitutional Commision of Ivory Coast.
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| meeting with the women's association to hear their concerns and discuss micro-credit |
Ivorian Hope Charity largely focuses its efforts in the rural villages in the western region of Cote d'Ivoire because it was the most devasted region during the initial civil war. Unfortunately, this area, rich in natural resources, is currently experiencing high occurences of violence. This is primarily because Gbagbo comes from this region and it is where the rebels from the North and government military converge. Villagers are fleeing the region and migrating towards the cities or going into hiding. The UN has increased the presence of peacekeepers and Ivorian Hope is monitoring the situation closely and preparing to provide any humanitarian assistance that may be necessary.Ivorian Hope's preoccupation is the safety and well being of the people.
As a 501(c)3 organization based in the U.S., we have been serving the rural Ivorian communities since the civil war broke out in 2002. Ivorian Hope is also an NGO recognized by the UN and the Ivorian Embassy in Washington D.C. The charity was started by an Ivorian American who felt a need to respond to the affects of the war and deaths of her family members. Christine Hall’s dream has grown from a need to serve her family and providing basic human needs to a dream of more self-sufficient and empowered Ivorian communities. Christine, with the help of a few college students, has been able to accomplish what means worlds to the Ivorian community and has even become their voice for change and a source of hope.
We know that there are many causes out there, but we can't change things without your support and care for these communities and all communities. A little goes a long way and 100% of your donations go directly to our programs and the rural villagers of our region who are dealing with violence, a tense and divided environment, political turmoil and an uncertain climate and future. The villagers have our number and are in contact with us on a weekly, even daily, basis. They are depending on Ivorian Hope, as well as you. You can get involved in so many ways.
Report by: Nicole Ndamiba, Ivorian Hope Community Outreach Coordinator
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*Talk us directly about how you can get involved with our Community Outreach Coordinator at ndamiba@ivorianhope.org
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