A comprehensive communication strategy takes shape

Ouagadougou, February 20, 2013 – In a critical effort to address the pressing food and sociopolitical emergencies gripping the Sahel, Caritas organizations from across the region have convened in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The vital meeting, which commenced on February 19, brought together representatives from Caritas Burkina Faso, Caritas Mali, Caritas Niger, and Caritas Senegal, all members of the long-standing Sahel Caritas platform established in 2007.

The gathering, set to conclude on February 23, includes key information officers and emergency operations managers. Their collective aim is to forge a robust regional communication system, enhancing coordination among these essential Catholic aid organizations.

This strategic assembly forms an integral part of Emergency Appeal 28/2012, a significant initiative titled “Project for strengthening Caritas’ global preparedness and response capacity to humanitarian emergencies caused by the crisis in Mali.”

Father Isidore Ouédraogo, Executive Secretary of Caritas Burkina, emphasized the meeting’s practical objective: to create a unified operational framework. This framework is designed to empower communication and emergency personnel from all Sahel Caritas branches, ultimately bolstering their collective capacity to intervene effectively during crises.

Current estimates indicate that approximately 300,000 Malian refugees have sought safety in neighboring countries, underscoring the immense scale of the ongoing humanitarian challenge.