“We need a Marshall Plan for the reconstruction of the West…

After having heard about the difficulties that the populations are experiencing, the coordinator indicated that a special plan is needed for the West. “The Western region, in general, is one of the most affected regions. In the same way that after the World War there was a Marshall Plan for the reconstruction of Europe, it seems to me that there should be a plan for the West, for reconstruction, for reconciliation, stabilisation and peace.

With basic social infrastructure destroyed, people cannot have access to health, education, water and sanitation, special efforts should be made to rebuild the West,” proposed N’Dolamb NGokwey, the humanitarian coordinator of the United Nations system. For him, the money will come first from the state of Côte d’Ivoire, which is primarily responsible for managing the humanitarian crisis.

“The money will also come from the international community, which has an obligation to help Côte d’Ivoire emerge from this crisis. For us, humanitarian work is not a charity, it is an obligation. Because these populations in humanitarian crisis have a right to humanitarian assistance and their right corresponds to our duty,” he added.

However, he does not despair about the rebirth of Côte d’Ivoire. “When I came back from Guiglo, I saw young people playing football in the rain in Lokosso (a village located between Duékoué and Guiglo, editor’s note).

All this shows that there is hope. And as everyone says, with peace and reconciliation, Duékoué can be reborn. And we, the humanitarian community, will be at the side of the population to support them,” he said.

Kindo OUSSENY, special envoy in the Moyen-Cavally.

Crédits photos : Basile Zoma