The second act of the annual Christmas Party organized by the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) took place at Treichville General Hospital in Abidjan today, 24 December 2014. Exactly one week after providing food, entertainment and presents for some 325 children at its headquarters in Ancien Hôtel Sebroko, the UN Mission went to Treichville General Hospital to distribute Christmas presents to children in the pediatric wards and the Institute of Cardiology in Abidjan.



The Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Babacar Cissé, who led the Mission's delegation, played Father Christmas by distributing the presents to children aged between one month and 15 years. He wished them better health while handing over the presents.

« We have brought you some presents and we hope that this will make you feel better about having to spend time in hospital at Christmas, » he told them.





UNOCI's gesture was much appreciated by the Hospital's director-general, Professor Ibrahima Sanogo, who said that at a time when the hospital was currently facing a lot of difficulties, including the rehabilitation of some of its services, the action carried out by UNOCI to help make the children happy, was particularly welcome.

« It is of great joy to us because we know that apart from its usual activities, we know how much UNOCI has supported us and once more it has brought smiles to the faces of these sick children who could be feeling abandoned due to their illness because they cannot be at home with their families for Christmas. We are very moved by this gesture, » said Professor Sanogo.



The visit ended with the distribution of Christmas presents to some 50 children by SRSG Cissé andhis delegation.