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Senegal: Income-generating projects for displaced people in Casamance

02-05-2013 News Release 13/82

Ziguinchor (ICRC) – With support from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), 40 people displaced by the armed conflict in Casamance are about to participate in small income-generating projects.

"The projects will help those taking part to improve their living conditions," said Thierry Parodi, head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Ziguinchor.

In order to achieve maximum effect, the ICRC will train the participants to build up the projects themselves. "Afterwards, our personnel will provide them with support for at least six months to help them make sure the projects survive," said Mr Parodi.

The projects, which have already benefited 36 mine victims and their close relatives, will now also involve 40 new participants who fled violence and are currently living in hardship in the Ziguinchor area.

The ICRC has been working in Casamance since 2004 to bring protection and assistance to victims of the armed conflict. In addition to visiting detainees, the ICRC upgrades and provides support for health-care facilities, helps villagers boost their farming capacity, improves access to clean drinking water and takes emergency action for people adversely affected by violence. It carries out some of these activities in close cooperation with the Senegalese Red Cross Society.

For further information, please contact:
Lazar Sagna, ICRC Ziguinchor, tel: +221 77 578 84 96 or +221 33 991 61 06
Dénes Benczédi, ICRC Dakar, tel: +221 77 529 71 45 or +221 33 869 14 40