Cote d’Ivoire

The Situation

Côte d’Ivoire is recovering from more than a decade of conflict, particularly the 2010-2011 post-electoral crisis, which has had a serious impact on the economic, social, security and humanitarian situation. The major humanitarian concern was in the west, where displacement was more extensive, in addition to movements to Liberia and other neighboring countries. The country is progressively heading toward political and economic stability. However, insecurity, conflict and land tenure issues remain real challenges.

Though Côte d’Ivoire is a leading producer of cocoa and coffee, the food security situation remains a concern throughout the country, particularly in the western and the northern regions. Food prices remain relatively high, limiting access to food.

Primary school enrollment remains low at 68 percent, and the country has West Africa’s highest HIV prevalence rate at 3.7 percent, as of 2012.

WFP's Work

WFP has been in Côte d’Ivoire since 1968. The UN agency aims to save lives and livelihoods and promote the transition to recovery through activities such as:

• Food and cash relief packages for vulnerable households, including returning refugees and internally displaced persons.
• Food- and cash-for-assets programs to assist vulnerable households.
• Nutritional rehabilitation of children aged 6 months to 59 months as well as pregnant and nursing women.
• Food support and cash assistance to clients following anti-retroviral therapy.
• Cash for caretakers of severely malnourished children in therapeutic feeding units.
• School meals program that includes:
  • Daily school meals for 571,000 children to enhance attention spans and attendance.
  • Quarterly take-home ration or equivalent cash transfer for 25,000 girls in grades four and five with an attendance rate of at least 80 percent.
  • Micronutrient powder for 102,000 schoolchildren in the district of Zanzan.
  • Capacity development for local school meals management committees.