Caritas is calling for the immediate release of Fr Richard Kissi, Diocesan Director of Caritas in Abidjan who was kidnapped in the late morning of 29 March by an armed group.
Caritas Internationalis Secretary General Lesley-Anne Knight said, “Caritas is calling for the immediate release of Fr Richard Kissi, the Director of Caritas in Abidjan. Fr Kissi was providing urgent humanitarian relief in Côte d’Ivoire to people affected by the conflict. Caritas always works regardless of religion, politics or race. Humanitarian staff need to be able to work in security as outlined by the Geneva conventions.”
Fr Richard was kidnapped by an armed group while he was heading to Anyama, a suburb of Abidjan, to evacuate seminarians at the “Grand Séminaire” after violent clashes had taken place in the area.
Caritas Côte d’Ivoire has not heard from him since then. Investigations into his whereabouts have been unsuccessful to date.
“We do not know whether Fr Kissi is well and have not received any claims from the kidnappers,” said Jean Djoman, Director of Human Development at Caritas Côte d’Ivoire.
Caritas is providing food, health care, sanitation and more to thousands of displaced people inside Côte d’Ivoire and in Liberia.
For more information, please contact Anne-Sophie Legge on +39 06 69879757/+39 335 82 34 233 or [email protected]