Just days after the devastating fire that ravaged part of the Man market, a wave of solidarity is taking shape. Minister Vagondo Diomandé has demonstrated his concrete support for the victims through a substantial donation of food and cash.

On Friday, June 26, 2026, the prefecture of Man hosted a moving donation ceremony. Represented by his wife, the minister expressed his deepest sympathy to the 21 shopkeepers severely affected by the disaster that occurred on the night of June 23-24.

Direct material and financial support

To help the victims cope with the emergency and the loss of their livelihoods, the donor mobilized significant resources:

1. Financial support: A total budget of 2.1 million FCFA (i.e., 100,000 FCFA per trader).
2. Food donations: 21 bags of rice, 10 cartons of milk and 10 cartons of oil.

"It's not easy... You're sleeping at night, you get a call telling you that your store has caught fire. It's really difficult," said Dembélé Mawa, spokesperson for the beneficiaries, with emotion, expressing his deep gratitude for this responsiveness.

A heartfelt gesture applauded by local authorities

The prefect of the Tonkpi region and the Man department, Lacina Fofana, who presided over the ceremony, was keen to clarify the nature of this intervention. He emphasized that it was a purely personal initiative of the minister, guided by his own humanitarian spirit.

"I would like to tell the victims that the minister's action is an individual act, it is an act that is driven by his conviction," the prefect stated, while also reminding everyone that this outpouring of generosity "cannot replace" the future action of the institutions of the Republic and the decentralized services of the State.

A look back at the facts

As a reminder, the fire broke out mid-week near the entrance to the Léon Robert stadium.

1. The toll: 16 stores were completely reduced to ashes.
2. The emergency response: A joint effort by civilian firefighters, law enforcement (police and gendarmerie), local residents, and the decisive support of a fire truck from Man airport made it possible to contain the flames shortly before midnight, preventing a greater tragedy.

What is the status of the investigation?

To date, the origin of the fire remains unknown. An investigation has been opened by the security forces to determine the exact cause of the blaze.