First, the project aims to assist with repatriation and integration of the returning refugees who fled Côte d'Ivoire during the civil war in 2010-2011. There was a total of cca 300 thousands of refugees in the neighbouring countries and a few thousands in Europe. Based on the agreements with the neighbouring countries, these refugees are now returning back to the regions along the western Ivorian border. However, they find it difficult to integrate in the community and establish their livelihoods. They are thus prone to repeated migration.

Secondly, the project aims to help the stateless persons. This phenomenon has its origins in the colonial period when people from the Upper Volta were moving to the central part of today´s Côte d'Ivoire to work on the cocoa fields. After the independence, these people were not able to obtain the Ivorian citizenship due to their Burkinabe origin. The successive generation have not been eligible for the citizenship as long as they were not able to prove having an Ivorian ancestor. It is estimated that this problem affects cca 700 thousands of persons. If they migrate, they cannot be returned back as they have no citizenship.

During the monitoring mission, the UNHCR presented to the Czech delegation the concrete activities in the field across 4 prefectures (Guiglo, Blolequin, Toulepleu, Danane) where the project is being implemented. The project activities focus on providing shelters, support in establishing a livelihood and building of infrastructure (schools, health facilities).

The Czech delegation visited ponds for fishery and rice cultivation, frog and rabbit farms or cassava processing unit operated by women. The delegation also inspected a school where 3 new classrooms, have been built within the project, and a rehabilitated health facility. The delegation also met with a group of stateless persons to hear their story and learn about the daily obstacles they have to face when interacting with state institutions.