Location: Abidjan

Situation:

The peace agreement signed on 4 March 2007 in Ouagadougou between Laurent Gbagbo and rebel forces leader Guillaume Soro is still in force. The organisation of free and transparent elections, however, has come up against many difficulties. The elections planned in November 2008 have been postponed again until 2009. Ivorians' living conditions continue to deteriorate. In this context, Doctors of the World (DoW) is supporting the local NGO MESAD's work with street children.

Activities:

We support a local NGO, Movement for Education, Health and Development (MESAD), which was set up by DoW  staff when the organisation withdrew at the end of 2002. Support (advice and basic care) is provided to street children in the AKWABA centre and in the Minors' Observation Centre in Abidjan prison. The AKWABA centre offers psychological support, assistance with socio-educational activities, help for children to return to school and apprenticeships. The work in the Minors' Observation Centre includes legal support and finding families. A parallel programme of awareness-raising, health education, prevention (drug use and HIV/AIDS) takes place in MESAD's reception facilities.

Outlook:

MESAD will carry on with this work and would also like to work on a re-socialisation programme for young girls, for whom there is currently only one specific facility in Abidjan.