31 Jan 2012 • Specialised care, Trafficking and exploitation,... Benin and Nigeria

Benin: The government once again shows its confidence in Terre des hommes

- Published by Darcissac, Marion

The government praises and encourages the activities of Terre des hommes

Since last Thursday, January 26th, the Terre des hommes Foundation can benefit from a new agreement at Head Office level for its activities in Benin. The signing of this agreement took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the African Integration, the French-speaking world and Beninese Abroad.

Source: Wilfried Léandre HOUNGBEDJI for La Nation

For Pamphile Goutondji, Secretary General of this Ministry, the signing of this protocol was a reason for satisfaction, as “the contribution of Terre des hommes to the fight against attacks on child rights and for their protection, is considerable – particularly when such abuse gives the impression of our States being pro-slavery”. But, the Secretary General went on, the issue is so fraught that no single group can cope with it alone. This is why, he said, Benin appreciates the true worth of its cooperation with Terre des hommes, of which he recalled some important actions for the protection and health of mothers and children. He emphasised that in recent years the organisation has invested nearly one and a half billion CFA francs (CHF 2.7 million) in its activities in Benin. This is to say, explains Pamphile Goutondji, that this high-level agreement bears witness to the interest of the government in the work of the Foundation and its willingness to facilitate the task. He also hopes that major achievements will still follow and the circle of beneficiaries be extended.

Jean-Luc Imhof, delegate of Terre des hommes au Bénin, said that the challenges to be taken up concerning health and child protection are enormous. However, he counts on the country, and the determination of everybody, to improve the situation regarding promotion and protection of the rights and wellbeing of the child.

Principally engaged in the health and protection of children, the Terre des hommes Foundation is present in 32 countries, 11 of them in Africa. In Benin, where it has been active since 1974, the Foundation works in the sector of mother and child health and the protection of child victims of exploitation, trafficking and abuse. This has led to taking care of 1,333 children needing specialised health treatment. 511 of them were transferred to Europe for surgery between 1984 and 2011; and 822 others were operated on during surgical missions in Benin.
In addition, the Foundation distributes milk to support the nutritional recuperation of malnourished children. It is also engaged in the protection of child victims of trafficking, and works to get children withdrawn from the quarries in Abeokuta, followed by their rehabilitation and reintegration.