Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

Context at a glance

Among the world’s largest producers and exporters of coffee and palm oil, Côte d’Ivoire once boasted the strongest economy in West Africa. Now, due to a devastating civil war and global economic pressure in 2002, Côte d’Ivoire contends with extreme poverty and its exhausted infrastructure struggles to meet the growing needs of the people.

In the city of Abidjan alone, the housing deficit is estimated to be 12,000 houses per year. Urbanization is adding to the problem, with almost half of the growing population now living in towns or cities.

In rural areas the need is also immense. Many people live in temporary structures, which require extensive upkeep and repair and are vulnerable to fire. Walls are typically made of mud in a wooden frame and often crack, causing leaks and eventually falling apart. Thatch roof houses harbor numerous disease-carrying insects such as malarial mosquitoes and the tsetse fly, which in turn can spread eye disease.

Habitat for Humanity Programme

Established in 1999, Habitat for Humanity Côte d'Ivoire (HFHCI) seeks to break the cycle of poverty by working with homeowners to provide safe, dry and secure homes, with decent sanitation.

HFHCI builds houses using appropriate technology and local building materials. The houses are made of brick and mortar, with corrugated iron roofing sheets. The designs are simple and spacious and cater for the individual families’ needs, whilst remaining affordable to the homeowners. Houses are built consisting of either two, or three bedrooms and a hall. Smaller houses are currently planned, in order to reach families on the lowest income groups.

HFHCI is building homes for disabled people in 9 communities in the eastern and western regions and is providing housing for cocoa farmers. Volunteer work days for local organisations and churches are a regular feature of the program. This allows participation towards community redevelopment.

“My name is Asso Yah Antoinette. I am single and have two children. Before owning this house I lived with my parents. There were about 15 of us living in a house with only three rooms. It was difficult to move when everyone was asleep. I suffered in this situation for about seven years. Then one day I heard that there was a programme called Habitat for Humanity that partners with the poor to build their own house. I didn’t believe it at first. I thought it was like some of the programmes that promise good things to the village people but don’t do anything.

“But when I realised that some women in N’Gorato had become homeowners with the support of Habitat for Humanity, I became extremely interested. So I decided to join the programme in Koun-Abronso Affiliate. I have to say, we were amazed by the work of HFHCI. The mobilization of N'Gorato's villagers was impressive. Everybody, young and old, men and women, villagers and people from outside were all united around the house building project.

Habitat for Humanity has also helped to develop me personally, as well as the community, through mutual help and participation. As the owner of a house with three bedrooms and a sitting room, I now feel that my two children and I have dignity. More and more people are getting involved in community labour and I am happy about that. May God bless Habitat for Humanity for walking with the poor!”

Country Facts

Location: Western Africa, with North Atlantic Ocean coast, between Ghana and Liberia
Climate: Tropical on the coast, semi-arid in the far North; three seasons.
Population: 17.1 million
Economy: Main crops are cocoa, coffee, beans and palm oil. Oil and diamonds are key resources.
Government: Republic; multiparty presidential system
Religions: Islam, Christianity, Indigenous beliefs
Languages: French, local dialects

Read about the re-growth of the Côte d'Ivoire

Read about the experience of Habitat homeowner Kouadio in the Côte d'Ivoire

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