Burkina Faso faces escalating displacement crisis amid relentless violence

The Groupe de coordination opérationnelle de la réponse rapide (GCORR) reported that nearly 37,000 households have been displaced following 48 displacement alerts. This figure represents a significant 92% increase compared to the corresponding period in 2024. Specifically, in May alone, the GCORR documented approximately 41,000 individuals impacted by 12 displacement alerts across the country.

The Boucle du Mouhoun region has borne the brunt of this crisis, accounting for over 106,000 displaced individuals, including more than 65,000 children. These displacements occurred in 13 localities, such as Dédougou, Di, and Tougan, making up 45% of the total internally displaced population.

mounting humanitarian needs

The overall security landscape in Burkina Faso remains volatile, characterized by persistent attacks across the Sahel, Nord, Centre-Nord, Est, Centre-Est, and Boucle du Mouhoun regions. These aggressions have targeted the Forces de défense et de sécurité, the Volontaires pour la défense de la patrie (VDP), and 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 water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), protection services, and educational support.

In response to this escalating crisis, various organizations have stepped in to provide assistance to those already on the ground. Despite ongoing efforts, substantial needs continue to persist.

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

severe acute malnutrition challenges

Between January and April, more than 36,000 children received treatment for malnutrition, with over 20,000 of them located in insecure areas. By the end of May, a total of 179,000 people (representing 28% of the 1.3 million individuals in need), including over 25,000 children, had received treatment for acute malnutrition. Among this group, more than 8,000 children were suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

More broadly, the deteriorating security situation significantly hampers humanitarian operations. This exacerbates access challenges, heightens operational risks, and amplifies the assistance requirements for affected populations.

Following attacks in the Est and Sahel regions, critical local infrastructure, particularly in the health, education, water, and administrative sectors, has been destroyed.

djibo under jihadist blockade

Among the hardest-hit areas is the entire population of Djibo, located in the Soum province of northern Burkina Faso, estimated at approximately 48,000 people (both displaced and host communities). The town has been under a jihadist blockade since December 2024, leading to a complete halt in supplies.

UNICEF is actively implementing various programs in Djibo through its local partners, focusing on water, sanitation, hygiene, education, child protection, health, and nutrition initiatives.

Humanitarian workers, much like the affected populations they serve, face significant dangers, including the risk of improvised explosive devices and abductions. UNICEF emphasized, “Beyond access difficulties, the scarcity of resources, which poses another major challenge, impacts response capacities in the insecurity-stricken regions.”