China deeply involved in fighting poverty in Cote d'Ivoire

ABIDJAN - The problem of poverty is a big challenge for Africa and the fight against this scourge has been the main preoccupation of most governments on the continent.

Most analysts have observed that China has been deeply involved in the fight against poverty on the continent besides African governments. China has also remained faithful on the side of the continent as witnessed in a number of initiatives that have been launched in various sectors.

Among African countries, Cote d'Ivoire is one of those which have benefited a lot from China's support and help.

In the health sector, taking the case of malaria as an example, the means to fight against the disease have been reinforced in Cote d'Ivoire thanks to Sino-Cote d'Ivoire cooperation.

Through collaboration with Cote d'Ivoire's health ministry, the Chinese government has put up a research center in Abidjan which will help in the fight against malaria. The Cote d'Ivoire authorities have said that this malaria research center came at the right time and it will help to improve the health status of the population.

"Malaria is a real health problem in the country and it represents the first reason for medical consultations in our hospitals. A center offered by a friendly nation (China) will help to relieve the pain of most of our people," Patrice Konan, a doctor at a hospital in Abidjan, said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

The impoverization of the people comes not only through the deterioration of health conditions, but also through food deficiency.

Cote d'Ivoire has also received support from China in her efforts to achieve food sufficiency through production of foodstuffs like rice.

In March this year, China which is the biggest rice producer in the world gave Cote d'Ivoire authorities over 200 tons of fertilizers and hundreds of agricultural machines whose cost was evaluated at 2 million euros.

Still, following the appeal from Cote d'Ivoire for the Chinese support on the strategies for reviving rice farming, a Chinese delegation of experts visited several Cote d'Ivoire localities in 2010 to train rice farmers.

The Chinese delegation in Cote d'Ivoire was led by Director of the International Center for the Fight Against Poverty (LPRCC) Wu Zhing.

"There's need to take advantage of the Chinese experience in order to increase food production," a Cote d'Ivoire investment expert Raymond Sibailly said recently.

"The IPRCC is one of the biggest global institutions involved in the fight against poverty. This center also works with the universities of China and through its actions, this country has achieved miracles in the fight against poverty," Sibailly said.

The problem of housing is another big challenge for Cote d'Ivoire. In the country, most of the people do not have decent houses to live. In most towns, there's a problem of slums which house the jobless people or those who earn little wages. Most families live in makeshift houses because of poverty.

In order to help resolve the housing problem, China has partnered with the Cote d'Ivoire government in the construction sector to try and reduce the housing shortage.

During a recent meeting with a Chinese construction company, Cote d'Ivoire Prime Minister Guillume Soro called for concerted efforts with Cote d'Ivoire's Construction and Housing Company (SICOGI) to ensure that majority of the people live in decent houses.

Recently Cote d'Ivoire experienced a post-election crisis which resulted in the loss of lives and destruction of property. Soon after the crisis was over, the country's President Alassane Ouattara announced that reconstruction of the country would be one of his main priorities.

China has expressed its willingness to help Cote d'Ivoire in the reconstruction process.

After several preliminary meetings with Cote d'Ivoire's authorities during which the Chinese emissaries promised support from their country, Sino-Cote d'Ivoire agreements regarding Chinese aid for Cote d'Ivoire's post-crisis reconstruction were signed in June this year.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun and Cote d'Ivoire's Foreign Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan signed the documents which granted Cote d'Ivoire loans and cancellation of Cote d'Ivoire's debt.

In addition, China has also given Cote d'Ivoire "urgent materials" worth 1.09 billion Fcfa.

China has honored the commitments she made to Cote d'Ivoire.

"The crisis increased poverty in Cote d'Ivoire. The Chinese contribution is expected to help in the revival of activities in some of the country's sectors," said Emmanuel Lohoues, an official at Cote d'Ivoire's finance ministry.

"On the path of development, Cote d'Ivoire will always have China on her side," Zhai promised.

Chinese Ambassador to Cote d'Ivoire Wei Wenhua has on several occasions reiterated his country's willingness to help Cote d'Ivoire on her development path.