The United Nations in Côte d'Ivoire has committed $650,000 to consolidate the gains made through the intercommunity dialogue sessions attended by 350 people including local dignitaries, traditional and religious authorities, women and youths from Bayota, Logouata and Ouragahio in the Gôh Region, in centrewest Côte d'Ivoire on 22 and 23 September 2015.



The sessions were organised by the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and United Nations agencies following violent incidents on 10 September 2015, which resulted in loss of life and destruction of property. UNOCI and the UN agencies went to the localities on 14, 16 and 23 September 2015 to comfort people and support calls for calm made by the local authorities and to consolidate social cohesion by organising the intercommunity dialogue sessions.



At the end of the discussions between the different communities, a number of recommendations were made, including the provision of training programmes on democratic culture and conflict management, the fight against impunity and security support, management of land issues, providing humanitarian support by rehabilitating certain community infrastructures, repairing houses burnt during the violent incidents and assistance with setting up income-generating activities.



Speaking at the meetingm the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Aïchatou Mindaoudou, accompanied by representatives of United Nations agencies, announced the urgent launch of several projects to support the commitments made by local people to consolidate social cohesion.



« Following the commitments you made during my first visit, commitments which you confirmed by your massive involvement in the intercommunity dialogue sessions, we have decided to accompany you. With me here are the deputy director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), a representative of UN Women, a representative of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and a representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and we are here to assist you with construction, rehabilitation, and equipment for community infrastructure», said Mrs Mindaoudou who then provided further information on the nature of the United Nations accompaniment.



In Bayota, a cultural centre will be built, a football field will be created, and agricultural projects for youths as well as income-generating activities for women will be initiated. Bayota gendarmerie will be rehabilitated, equipped and provided with vehicles. With regard UNICEF, the agency provided 400 school kits. In Logouata, the houses which were burnt will be repaired and a youth centre will be built and a football pitch created for the village. In addition income-generated activities will also be initiated for women. The youths and women of different communities decided to join forces and submit an agricutural project for funding. The project will involve several villages situated near Logouata. In Ouragahio the communities will receive a fully equipped youth centre and an agricultural project. Local people also submitted a request for the rehabilitation of their school canteen, health centre and football pitch. An enclosed meeting area will be built in Tiegbahi village.



Finally, UNOCI and UNDP will accompany the population in setting up a tripartite consultative committee comprising chiefs, elected officials and dignitaries from the indigenous and immigrant communities and the local authorities. The Committe will play a monitoring role in an effort to prevent and resolve conflicts and to serve as a framework for sensitisation on civic duties and land issues.



This assistance is in response to requests made by local people and is expected to cost about $650, 000, (390 million FCFA).