On October 14, 2024, Japan provided a significant donation of equipment worth 117 million CFA francs to the civil firefighters of Ferkessédougou, within the framework of the "Project to Strengthen Civil Protection for Sustainable Social Cohesion." The donation, which includes vehicles, personal protective equipment, rescue tools, and office furniture, was handed over at the Tchologo Civil Protection Center (CPC) by Japan’s Ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire, H.E. Ikkatai Katsuya. The ceremony was attended by key figures, including Blerta Cela, the UNDP Resident Representative in Côte d'Ivoire, and Amankou Kassi Gabin, Director General of the National Office of Civil Protection (ONPC), representing the Minister of Interior and Security.
Blerta Cela highlighted the importance of this project for human security and social cohesion in the Tchologo region, which faces challenges such as asylum seekers and climate change impacts. "Civil protection plays a crucial role in human security, particularly in a region like Tchologo," she stated. This Japan-funded initiative will boost local community resilience and enhance civil protection response effectiveness. It aims to improve the safety of 190,000 people in Ferkessédougou and a total of 900,000 nationwide.
Ambassador Ikkatai Katsuya emphasized that this project continues Japan's longstanding support for civil protection in Côte d'Ivoire. He cited previous initiatives, such as the "Capacity Building Project for Disaster Management for Civil Protection" from 2018 to 2021, which modernized CPCs in cities like Agboville, Boundiali, Divo, Guiglo, and Séguéla.
Representing the Minister of Security, ONPC Director General Amankou Kassi Gabin praised the strong cooperation between Côte d'Ivoire, the UNDP, and Japan, expressing gratitude on behalf of General Vagondo Diomandé for this significant support. "This project, focused on sustainable social cohesion, aligns with the national security strategy that encourages closer collaboration between security services and communities to prevent threats that could impact the social fabric," he noted.
The "Project to Strengthen Civil Protection for Sustainable Social Cohesion" runs until 2026, reaffirming Japan's commitment to assisting Côte d'Ivoire in its security challenges. It emphasizes risk prevention and disaster management, thereby enhancing the resilience of vulnerable communities and contributing to long-term stability.