Napié, 17 August 2008...Travelling through northern Côte d'Ivoire's Savannah Region to inform local authorities, UN officials and potential beneficiaries about the 1000 Micro-projects initiative undertaken by the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) in cooperation with the Ivorian Government and international donors, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Mr. Y.J. Choi, visited the sub-prefecture of Napié, 25 km south of the regional capital, Korhogo.

Mr Choi, whose delegation was welcomed by the leader of the professionals of the area, Ambassador Charles Valy Tuho, called on area residents, and through them the entire Ivorian population, to participate fully in the stabilization process in order to ensure that upcoming elections can take place in a tension-free environment. Mr Choi specifically called on all Ivorians to "work together in order to emerge from the tunnel (of crisis) and restore peace and security in Côte d'Ivoire".

Earlier, the Special Representative presented information about UNOCI's 1000 micro-projects, which are aimed at assisting ex-combatants to begin new civilian careers. He explained that the success of these projects would contribute to the overall security of the country, which would allow the elections to be organized in a climate of trust and security. "We are here to support the people of Côte d'Ivoire to organize free, fair, transparent and democratic elections. It is to this end that the 1000 Micro-projects, which give an opportunity for ex-combatants to reinsert themselves into the civilian social fabric, are of the utmost importance," he explained. "This is even more relevant for this region, because it will help to curb banditry."

Welcoming all of the actions undertaken by UNOCI to help the country emerge from more than five years of crisis, Mr Tuho seized the opportunity to draw attention to specific problems faced by the region, and his sub-prefecture in particular. He called on UNOCI to also find ways to address the needs of the region's women, in addition to supporting the 1000 Micro-projects for ex-combatants. The UNOCI head promised to examine how this could be done through the Quick Impact Projects (QIPs), an existing UNOCI programme created to help vulnerable groups around the country.