DRC has been present in Côte d’Ivoire since 2003, and today operates in the regions of Moyen Cavally and 18 Montagnes in the west, and in the area of Tabou in the southwest of the country. These areas were among the worst affected by the post-electoral violence that erupted in late 2010 and they remain unstable.

Reeling from crisis
Côte d’Ivoire suffered from conflict between rebels and the national army between 2002 and 2007, effectively separating north from south. From 2007, the situation was at an impasse with harassment of perceived foreigners, low-level conflict and widespread lawlessness.

Disputed results of a second round of presidential elections in November 2010 triggered a wave of inter-ethnic and political violence, human rights abuse, insecurity and economic breakdown in Côte d’Ivoire. Over 200,000 people fled to neighbouring countries, and at least 500,000 became internally displaced. Hostilities officially ceased with the arrest of incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo in April 2011 and the inauguration of current president Alassane Ouattara, the candidate of the erstwhile northern-based rebels.

The country is struggling to get on track with reconciliation and recovery but remains divided along political, ethnic and societal lines, despite efforts to strengthen social cohesion and governance. Instability combined with insufficient access to basic services, especially in the west of the country, result in reluctance of many displaced and refugees to return to their regions of origin and are holding back economic recovery.

Return and reintegration of the displaced is moreover sensitive due to prevalent land disputes which often lie at the root of local conflict, and the need for social rehabilitation is great. Rights violations and insecurity are major problems in the west and south west of Côte d’Ivoire, with armed elements extorting the population. In addition, the crisis caused significant loss of productivity and damage to the food security situation.

DRC’s work in Côte d’Ivoire
DRC’s activities in Côte d’Ivoire focus on supporting the voluntary return of internally displaced persons and Ivorian refugees by assisting them and their host communities through improving livelihood and income opportunities, and by rehabilitating infrastructure vital to economic development.

A major component of DRC’s work in Côte d’Ivoire focuses on improving the protection of the conflict-affected populations’ human rights by providing documentation of violations and individual assistance and referral to medical, legal and psycho-social aid to victims of violations.

DRC also works to facilitate community dialogue and build social cohesion, creating better conditions for lasting return of the displaced to communities. In addition, water and sanitation is a large component of DRC’s work in Côte d’Ivoire.

As of January 2012, DRC’s operations in Côte d’Ivoire receive funding from Danida, EC, ECHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, DRC’s own funds and private donations.