Reference :
V-P-CI-E-00260
Date :
27/10/2011
Caption :
Man, Zouan Hounien, Deinneu. Following the fightings that broke out in February 2011, Amélie had to flee to Liberia. She is now back home and talks about the difficult flight and the homecoming.
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
reserved users only
Description :
ICRC website, Photo gallery, 05-03-2012
Côte d'Ivoire: women pick up the pieces
They are wives, daughters, mothers or grandmothers. The women of Côte d'Ivoire continue to pay the price for a conflict in which they had no part. Following the post-electoral crisis that degenerated into armed conflict, countless Ivorians seeking safe refuge fled to other parts of the country or into Liberia and other countries in the region. Months later, those who return find homes destroyed, belongings stolen and wells contaminated. Many are still separated from their families. The ICRC is focusing on helping those who have returned and reducing the impact of the conflict.
In February 2011, renewed fighting forced Amélie to flee, along with her three children. She ended up in Liberia, like many people from her village. Being an adult, she could go without food for a day or two if she had to, an ordeal that was often unbearable for her children. So many people had fled to Liberia that Amélie had to sleep in improvised camps. Her niece became ill and died through lack of medical care. Her daughter died after giving birth under difficult conditions, and the baby soon followed. There were no health workers and moving around was difficult. When Amélie finally returned to her village it was to find the granaries looted, including those belonging to her and her parents. With the help of the ICRC, Amélie has been able to start working her coffee and cocoa plantations, which had become overgrown following months of absence and neglect.
"I've never been so desperate. I bounced back after the first crisis, but the second one wiped me out.
Original material :
digital
Resolution :
4728x3152
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
