The Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS ) has granted financial assistance of over 500 million CFA francs to Côte d'Ivoire to strengthen humanitarian efforts for refugees, stateless persons, and host communities . This contribution is part of the Regional Humanitarian Fund established to respond to humanitarian crises in West Africa.

Welcome aid for thousands of beneficiaries

This funding, estimated at US$1.036 million , was handed over to the Directorate of Aid and Assistance to Refugees and Stateless Persons (DAARA) , under the supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Ivorians Abroad .

The support will notably enable:

-to provide cash assistance to more than 14,000 refugees and 400 Ivorian households affected by the recent floods;

-to provide food and basic necessities to local families hosting refugees outside of camps, especially in the North of the country;

-to build nine hydraulic pumps in host communities in order to improve access to drinking water;

-and to issue 1,000 passports to the refugees concerned.

A regional response to a persistent humanitarian situation

According to official figures from DAARA, Ivory Coast is currently hosting more than 73,000 refugees from around thirty countries, the majority of whom obtained refugee status through a collective recognition granted in 2021 .

This support from ECOWAS comes at a time when the need for assistance is increasing, particularly with population movements linked to insecurity in the sub-region.

A gesture of solidarity welcomed by the authorities

For Ivorian officials, this aid represents a strong signal of regional solidarity . It confirms ECOWAS's leading role in the coordinated management of humanitarian crises and the protection of vulnerable populations .

The Ivorian authorities expressed their gratitude, while reaffirming their commitment to guaranteeing the dignity and safety of refugees present on national territory.