Burkina Faso’s displacement emergency: a call for urgent aid

The Operational Coordination Group for Rapid Response (GCORR) reported that nearly 37,000 households have been uprooted following 48 distinct displacement alerts. This figure marks a significant 92% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. Specifically, during May alone, GCORR documented approximately 41,000 individuals affected by 12 displacement incidents across the country.

The Boucle du Mouhoun region bears the brunt of this crisis, accounting for over 106,000 displaced individuals, including more than 65,000 children, across 13 localities such as Dédougou, Di, and Tougan. This represents a staggering 45% of all internally displaced persons in Burkina Faso.

Substantial humanitarian requirements

The overall security situation in Burkina Faso continues to be volatile, characterized by persistent attacks across the Sahel, Nord, Centre-Nord, Est, Centre-Est, and Boucle du Mouhoun regions. These aggressions have targeted not only the Defense and Security Forces and the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) but also local communities.

According to UNICEF, these widespread acts of violence have generated “considerable” humanitarian needs across all sectors. The most pressing requirements include adequate shelter, food security, access to safe water, sanitation, hygiene facilities, protection services, and educational provisions.

In response to the escalating crisis, various organizations have stepped in to support those on the ground. However, despite ongoing efforts, substantial needs persist across the affected areas.

From a nutritional standpoint, over 10,000 children nationwide received treatment for severe acute malnutrition in April. More than half of these cases originated from regions heavily impacted by jihadist violence, including Boucle du Mouhoun, Nord, Est, Sahel, and Centre-Nord.

Severe acute malnutrition challenges

Between January and April, a total of over 36,000 children were admitted for treatment, with more than 20,000 of them residing in insecure zones. By the end of May, 179,000 individuals, representing 28% of the 1.3 million people in need, had been treated for acute malnutrition. Within this group, over 25,000 were children, with more than 8,000 suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

Beyond the immediate health concerns, the deteriorating security environment significantly impedes humanitarian operations. It restricts access to vulnerable populations, heightens operational risks for aid workers, and consequently increases the demand for assistance among affected communities.

Furthermore, recent attacks in the Est and Sahel regions have led to the destruction of vital local infrastructure, particularly in healthcare, education, water supply, and administrative services.

Djibo: a town under jihadist blockade

Among the hardest-hit areas is Djibo, a town in the Soum province in northern Burkina Faso. Its entire population, estimated at approximately 48,000 people (comprising both displaced individuals and host communities), has been severely affected, as the town has been under a jihadist blockade, preventing supplies since December 2024.

Through its local partners, UNICEF is actively implementing various programs in Djibo, focusing on crucial areas such as water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), education, child protection, health, and nutrition.

Humanitarian workers, much like the affected populations they serve, face grave dangers, including the risk of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and kidnappings. UNICEF underscored that beyond the challenges of access, a critical shortage of resources remains a major obstacle, significantly impacting the capacity to respond effectively in the insecurity-stricken regions.