Action Against Hunger Ramps up its Response to Escalating Crisis in the Ivory Coast

4 April 2011

Humanitarian organisation Action Against Hunger | ACF International is scaling up its activities in the Ivory Coast and has launched an emergency appeal in response to the escalating crisis.  

As the crisis unfolds, enormous strains are being placed on local communities and the water and sanitation situation has become critical. 

Many people have fled to the countryside, whereas others shelter in places such as the catholic mission in Duékué, one of the worst affected areas. "There are between 20,000 and 30,000 people - mostly women and children - crowded into a small area without shelter there. The situation here is horrific” reports Francois Danel, Executive Director of Action Against Hunger-France, from Duékué.

“People will soon be running out of food. The population is so dense that any disease would spread like wildfire. In these circumstances providing access to safe drinking water, and improving sanitation and hygiene conditions is crucial.”

As thousands of people flee their homes to escape the escalating violence, Action Against Hunger’s team in Duékué are providing displaced families with access to safe water and scaling up its programmes to address malnutrition.

The head of a local Catholic mission in Duékué, Father Cyprian, said: “This is a humanitarian disaster. We have done our best so far but we are not experts. We need humanitarian aid urgently.”