Côte d’Ivoire
Building on a history of collaboration with the Ministry of Health since 1991, we work to support the Ivorian government in rebuilding conflict-damaged health infrastructure and expanding HIV/AIDS services in the northern city of Bouaké, the surrounding Vallée du Bandama and now the Savanes and Zanzan regions.
In 2007, we worked with the Ministry of Health and other partners to conduct a needs assessment and assist in developing a collaborative framework for re-establishing primary health care in the region. Since then, we have continued our partnership to scale up HIV prevention and treatment services for pregnant women and their children within the publich health care system.
Côte d'Ivoire's recent history
The roots of the political turmoil in Côte d'Ivoire are complex. Like many West African nations, the country experienced a period of colonization by France and declared independence in 1960. For almost 40 years, Côte d'Ivoire maintained a period of political and economic stability under a one-party system. After two decades of steady economic growth, a financial downturn in the 1980s combined with increasing concerns over immigration led to a rise of xenophobia and political tension. In 1999, rebels overthrew the government in the country's first military coup. Following a contested election in 2000 and another coup in 2002, rebels claimed control of the northern half of the country with Bouaké serving as the rebel stronghold.
Socioeconomic conditions have worsened for many, with 15% of the population living on less than $1 per day and 48% of the population living on less than $2 per day. Currently, Côte d'Ivoire is ranked 166 out of 177 countries in the United Nations Development Program's Human Development Index, and 146 out of 157 countries according to the Gender-Related Development Index.
Although peace accords and a power-sharing agreement were signed in 2003 and there has been no serious fighting since 2004, tensions remained high between party leaders. A new peace accord and power-sharing agreement were signed in March 2007, and the UN and international community are currently supporting a reunification process. The date of a presidential election has been pushed back multiple times since 2007.