UN mission in Côte d'Ivoire funds three quick-impact social projects

A centre for former child soldiers, a project to compensate the victims of an anti-demonstration crackdown in March and a local radio station for a mayoralty were the beneficiaries of funding from the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Côte d'Ivoire today.

The UN Operations in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) gave the largest amount, $1.12 million, to Drame Sirah, the president of a group of victims of the 25 March Government crackdown on unauthorized demonstrations In Abidjan and Yamoussoukro.

Over $11,000 was allocated to Mayor Yapi Lambert of Tiassalé towards the establishment of a radio station for his constituency and more than $10,300 to Msgr. Joseph Niangoran Teky of the Diocese of Man to renovate a centre for former child soldiers.

The donations covered 70 per cent of the predicted cost of each project and the rest would be turned over later, UNOCI said.

"This modest humanitarian gesture aims above all to assist those who have suffered in the conflict and crisis in Côte d'Ivoire and to show that UNOCI goes beyond military considerations in its interventions," said the mission's deputy chief, Alan Doss.