Disasters in Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast has formal disaster-management structures, but operational coordination and public information can be fragmented. The main risks are heavy rain and flooding, including blocked drainage and overflowing natural waterways; landslides and unstable slopes; building or wall collapses; lightning; drought; coastal erosion and marine flooding; technological or transport accidents; and earthquakes. Earthquake risk is modeled as low nationally, but a major event could have serious consequences in the densely populated southern corridor. Flood risk is highest nationally and in coastal areas, particularly Abidjan, Port-Bouët, Grand-Lahou, Grand-Bassam and San-Pédro. Drought is more relevant in the north, northeast, northwest and center, where it can affect agriculture, livestock and forests. A 2026 UNDRR model attributes more than 90% of modeled direct average annual loss from selected hazards to floods, about 9% to earthquakes and about 0.1% to landslides. These are model values for risk comparison, not forecasts. From 2020 to 2025, the Autonomous District of Abidjan was reported as the area most affected by flooding, collapses, lightning and landslides. The Ministry of the Interior and Security oversees the Office National de la Protection Civile, known as ONPC. ONPC coordinates rescue, saving lives, securing endangered people and evacuation. The Préfet, the Prefect of Abidjan, the Autonomous District, local mayors and other ministries take part according to the event. SODEXAM provides weather forecasts. The CIGCC, the Interministerial Crisis Management and Coordination Centre, connects forecasts with government action. The Secretariat of State for the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, abbreviated SE/PN-RRC, supports risk reduction under the Prime Minister's Office. Prevention work includes inspections and risk mapping, public awareness, drainage and canal cleaning, keeping natural waterways open, constructing stormwater basins, clearing high-risk areas and placing response units in advance. In 2026, authorities reported more than 5,000 awareness activities and two specialized flood units at Yopougon BAE and Cocody-Riviera 3. Drainage capacity, sediment and waste, unplanned construction and unstable slopes remain major risk factors. A World Bank project is rehabilitating Abidjan drainage infrastructure and reports protection for about 560,000 residents. SODEXAM forecasts can lead to localized vigilance orange warnings and coordinated action by the CIGCC, ONPC and ministries. In 2026, such warnings covered areas including Cocody, Bingerville, Songon and Yopougon. Government and ONPC digital channels publish warnings, and the ONPC command service operates continuously. Ivory Coast does not have one publicly documented nationwide alert application, evacuation map or shelter directory, so people should follow local instructions from the authorities rather than rely on an unofficial list. During an immediate danger or flood, call ONPC or the fire and rescue service on 180. ONPC also publishes 07 89 32 32 32, 05 74 32 32 32 and 01 50 32 32 32. Give the exact location, describe who is affected and explain how rescuers can reach the site. Police number 100 is the security contact when a disaster also creates a security problem. Do not enter moving floodwater, unstable buildings or areas exposed to falling walls or landslides. Authorities may order people to leave zones à risques, meaning identified high-risk areas. The Préfet, the mayor and ONPC identify local evacuation needs. A déguerpissement can require people to leave dangerous settlements or structures; authorities have announced that such action should include assistance and respect for fundamental rights. Temporary reception sites, called sites d’accueil, and relocation housing, called relogement, are arranged case by case. No nationwide public list of sites, general fixed compensation, universal deadline or uniform shelter procedure is documented. Access to assistance generally follows an official assessment of people affected by the event. The Ministry responsible for national cohesion, solidarity and poverty reduction may provide event-specific support, including help connected with funerals, injuries or affected households. In Agnéby-Tiassa on 16 July 2026, authorities reported nine deaths and 2,145 affected households. After the Abidjan events of 28 to 29 June 2026, an official interim figure reported 59 deaths by 7 July 2026. These examples do not establish a fixed payment, general entitlement or standard application period; assistance depends on the event, assessment and available budget. Residents and institutions have a duty to follow safety instructions, avoid dangerous settlements when authorities identify them, keep drainage channels and natural waterways clear and avoid disposing of waste in drainage systems. Recovery may include restoring roads, water, electricity and drainage, relocating affected households and improving infrastructure resilience. The National Development Plan for 2026 to 2030 includes planned measures to strengthen ONPC infrastructure, equipment and the legal framework and to develop integrated geographic information and real-time risk systems. Planned measures should not be treated as fully implemented services.