In February 2011, renewed fighting forced Amélie to flee her home in the Ivory Coast, along with her three children. She ended up in Liberia, like many people from her village. Being an adult, she could go without food for a day or two if she had to, an ordeal that was often unbearable for her children.

So many people had fled to Liberia that Amélie had to sleep in improvised camps. Her niece became ill and died through lack of medical care. Her daughter died after giving birth under difficult conditions, and the baby soon followed. There were no health workers and moving around was difficult.

When Amélie finally returned to her village it was to find the granaries looted, including those belonging to her and her parents. With the help of the International Committee of Red Cross, Amélie has been able to start working her coffee and cocoa plantations, which had become overgrown following months of absence and neglect.