Ivory Coast - International - Médecins du Monde

Ivory Coast

Abidjan - 10 may 2011

Yopougon, refuge for large groups of lost militias and mercenaries who had nowhere to go after the fall of Gbagbo last month. Trapped in the midst of the population they can only wait until the new revolutionary forces are ready in dealing with the large militia of Ibrahim Coulibaly in the north of the city before coming for them. Anarchy ruled in most of the thirteen neighbourhoods and villages that make up Yopougon during these last weeks, with the nervous armed gangs and militias causing havoc. As so often also now the poorest part of the inhabitants, living in the scattered slums had little choice but to live through the events while many of the slightly better of managed to part to safer ground.

Last week the final battle for Yopougon and full control of Abidjan has started and was battled out block for block, street by street. Eliminating unorganised militias from a densely populated area of over fifty square kilometres must have been a nightmare for all who have witnessed it. While visiting some of the health centres in the worst hit areas the tension of the past events could almost be touched. Some wanted to talk to us while many others avoided any subject related to fighting or security. Many times we were asked to call in the bodies of militia fighters that had been left for days in the middle of the neighbourhoods adding to the already tense atmosphere. Searches for militia members hiding inside the community continue and the new revolutionary forces are all around.

Most of the health centres in Yopougon have been closed in the last month, a few have however managed to continue some basic care with limited staff and medication. The staff who often lives in the same neighbourhood understands the importance of the centre also for the moral of the people despite the lack of drugs. They often have had to treat militants and military under tense circumstances and sometimes threats but also the population trapped in the middle of the fight. We admire their sense of realism and calm in continuing their work and understanding that whatever the reason or background in the end a patient remains a patient.

Since two weeks our teams are working to reinforce the capacity of the ministry of health to ensure the reopening of twenty large primary and maternal healthcare centres in and around Yopougon. Temporarily all healthcare and drugs are for free to allow optimal access and prevent further impact of the crisis. We ensure the services in the centres by contributing in the operating costs and providing drugs and materials to allow quality consultations. In the hardest hit areas we are quickly replacing looted medical equipment and materials in the centres which have been looted. We take special care of those who are directly impacted by the crisis and need aftercare like the wounded, victims of sexual violence, carriers of HIV and TB and the referral of psychosocial care. The only psychiatric hospital of Abidjan is also supported by us to ensure free consultations to all who need this today.