Burkina Faso: violence triggers massive displacement and urgent humanitarian needs
Burkina Faso: violence triggers massive displacement and urgent humanitarian needs
Humanitarian organizations have issued a stark warning regarding the escalating crisis in Burkina Faso, where nearly 230,000 individuals have been displaced by jihadist group violence since the beginning of the year. The security situation in this Central Sahel nation continues to severely impact children and their families, leading to widespread disruption and suffering.
The Operational Coordination Group for Rapid Response (GCORR) reported that nearly 37,000 households have been uprooted following 48 displacement alerts, marking a significant 92% increase compared to the same period last year. In May alone, GCORR documented approximately 41,000 people impacted by 12 displacement incidents across the nation.
The Boucle du Mouhoun region has borne the brunt of this crisis, accounting for 45% of all internally displaced persons. Over 106,000 individuals, including more than 65,000 children, have sought refuge in 13 localities such as Dédougou, Di, and Tougan.
Critical humanitarian requirements surge
Burkina Faso’s overall security landscape remains precarious, characterized by persistent attacks in the Sahel, Nord, Centre-Nord, Est, Centre-Est, and Boucle du Mouhoun regions. These assaults have targeted national defense and security forces, Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), and local communities.
According to UNICEF, these widespread acts of violence have generated profound humanitarian needs across all sectors. The most pressing requirements include emergency shelter, food security, access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), protection services, and educational support.
While various organizations are actively engaged in providing assistance on the ground, substantial needs continue to persist despite ongoing response efforts.
Nutritionally, over 10,000 children nationwide received treatment for severe acute malnutrition in April, with more than half originating from regions heavily affected by jihadist violence, including Boucle du Mouhoun, Nord, Est, Sahel, and Centre-Nord.
Addressing severe acute malnutrition
From January through April, over 36,000 children were admitted for malnutrition treatment, with more than 20,000 of them residing in insecure areas. By the end of May, 179,000 people, comprising 28% of the 1.3 million in need, had received treatment for acute malnutrition, including over 25,000 children. Among these, more than 8,000 children were suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
More broadly, the deteriorating security situation significantly hampers humanitarian operations. It restricts access to affected populations, heightens operational risks for aid workers, and exacerbates the assistance needs of vulnerable communities.
Following attacks in the Est and Sahel regions, vital local infrastructure, particularly in health, education, water, and administrative services, has been destroyed.
Djibo: a town under jihadist blockade
Among the hardest-hit areas is Djibo, located in the Soum province in northern Burkina Faso. The entire population of approximately 48,000 residents (both displaced and host communities) has been severely affected, as the town has been under a jihadist blockade, preventing supplies since December 2024.
UNICEF, through its local partners, is implementing various programs in Djibo focused on WASH, education, child protection, health, and nutrition initiatives.
Humanitarian workers, much like the affected populations, face grave dangers, including the risk of improvised explosive devices and abductions. UNICEF emphasized that beyond access difficulties, a critical shortage of resources presents another major challenge, severely impacting the capacity to respond effectively in insecurity-stricken regions.