Support and protection for exiled children in the Poro region

2025 Ivory Coast

Since 2023, regional instability in the Sahel has led to a massive influx of Burkinabe families, mainly from the Fulani community, forced to flee violence from armed groups. The children, often traumatised, find themselves without access to local education and health systems, which are already overwhelmed.

01. No poverty
03. Good health and well-being
04. Quality education
05. Gender equality
10. Reduced inequalities
16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
17. Partnerships for the goals
Faced with this humanitarian emergency, ASMAE, an association founded by Sister Emmanuelle in 1980 that works to guarantee the protection and respect of these children's fundamental rights, has requested the support of the John Cockerill Foundation for the PEACE project, which has already been successfully implemented in several countries. It aims to:
  • Raise awareness among local communities about the vulnerability of exiled children, in particular through street theatre and fun activities.
  • Identify and support children at risk, by opening case management files and referring the most serious situations to specialised centres.
  • Support families in their economic empowerment and strengthen the parental unit, with specific support.

700

people reached through early intervention sessions.

30

new children integrated into the project since July 2025.

With the help of the John Cockerill Foundation, the non-profit organisation hopes to help actors in the field extend the PEACE project to the entire Poro region and offer enhanced protection to the most vulnerable children. We can take concrete action to defend children's rights, promote equality and foster lasting social cohesion. In 2024, 75,800 families and 45 partners benefited from ASMAE's support, with the objectives and values of respecting the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, including people in vulnerable situations, promoting equality between girls and boys, and building long-term autonomy. Since July 2025 (when our contribution began), the non-profit organisation has already held several early intervention sessions on the importance of the community in protecting children and the responsibility of parents in their education. These sessions reached around 700 people, nearly half of whom were children. In addition to the 162 children already supported by the non-profit organisation, 30 new children have been integrated into the project.