DRC has been in West Africa since 1998, working with displaced people in southeast Liberia. In 2006, a regional strategy was adopted, acknowledging the instability in Liberia’s neighbouring countries and thus the need for a regional approach.
Today, we operate a regional programme in Liberia, Ivory Coast and Guinea focusing on border areas. The aim of it is to support peace and stabilization as well as protecting and promoting durable solutions for people affected by conflict.
We support local integration or return and reintegration of refugees, internally displaced people and former combatants. At the same time, assistance is provided to communities hosting the displaced or those who return, and to people otherwise affected by conflict and displacement.
Our Regional Office is based in Abidjan, Ivory Coast with a supporting office in Monrovia, Liberia.
DRC and Women in West Africa
DRC works to support women’s social, economic and political empowerment in West Africa. In 2007 and 2008, a major project named ‘Women Building Peace’ (WBP), funded by the Danish Government, worked to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, and to promote women’s participation as peacemakers at community, national and regional level. The project, which was carried out in Liberia, Guinea and Ivory Coast, ended in February 2009. However, DRC's strategy to support implementation of the UNSCR 1325 continues as an integrated part of all its programmes.
Today, another regional project, TERRA (Women Together for Economic Rehabilitation and Recovery through Agriculture) builds on DRC’s previous work in peace building work and food security and agriculture activities. This project, also financed by Danida, focuses on strengthening women’s economic empowerment and participation in decision-making processes.
DRC targets vulnerable women in its peace building, protection and economic empowerment activities, including women, former combatants and war victims, and cross-border market women. DRC's strategy is to integrate peace building, protection and livelihoods activities, in order to strengthen all areas.
