Divo, 20 November 2009... Blé village in the district of Divo, on Friday, 20 November 2009, welcomed the sixth leg in the Sud Bandama region of the community sensitization caravan of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire, named UNOCI Tour.

The caravan, launched in August 2009 in Divo, sensitizes people on two main issues: UNOCI's role in the crisis resolution process and Ivorians contribution to establishing a peaceful electoral environment.

The UN delegation led by the Regional Coordinator for Sector West, Diane Pezzini, included representatives of the Electoral Assistance, Public Information and Security sections, UNPOL and the Moroccan contingent. Each one explained the mandate and the role of his or her section with regard to maintaining a peaceful electoral environment. Mrs. Pezzini reassured the populations of UNOCI's support to the peace process in Côte d'Ivoire and its assistance to the Ivorian populations.

The chief of Blé, Mr. Dadié Tchoum David, asked the population to contribute to reinforcing social cohesion in the village as elections draw near. "We must stay on the road to peace so that our country will be able to organise peaceful elections", he said. He highlighted the UN Mission's actions which had led to the reduction of insecurity in the village. "In the recent past, we lived in insecurity in our village. Thanks to the many community visits made by UNOCI, insecurity has decreased considerably," said Mr. Dadié.

Youth leader, Okehi Michael, stressed the contribution of the youth to the consolidation of peace in the village. Speaking on their behalf, he welcomed UNOCI's actions to support the crisis-resolution process in Côte d'Ivoire. Mr. Okehi then asked UNOCI' s help in organizing sports activities which bring young people from different communities together.

The sensitization caravan ended with a quiz organized by the Public Information Office.