Since May 26, thousands of Burkinabè have crossed into Mali’s central region, settling primarily in Koro. Local authorities report the newcomers are fleeing escalating violence perpetrated by armed groups in their communities.

“Two men on a motorcycle arrived as messengers. Their warning sent us into panic,” recounts Hamsetou, a displaced woman now living in Koro with her daughter and extended family.

Hamsetou’s village, Sia in Burkina Faso’s Gomboro department, had been targeted by armed groups on market day. “They ordered us to leave before sunrise,” she explains. “We fled that night, hiding in neighboring villages before taking a taxi to Koro the next morning.”

Leaving everything behind

Hamsetou has no plans to return home until peace is restored. She’s not alone—residents from Gani, Bouli, Kogan, Ganagoulo, and Kouéré have also sought safety in Mali. Nearly three-quarters of the displaced are women and children.

Oumou, a resident of Ganagoulo, recalls May 26 as the day armed men approached Bouli and Gani. “They then came to our village and told us the same fate awaited us. We had no choice but to flee, abandoning our homes, granaries, and livestock. Some walked, others used tricycles, carts, or bicycles to reach Koro,” she shares.

Oumou arrived safely in Koro with her husband and four children, determined to rebuild their lives amid uncertainty.

Issa Sagara, Koro’s deputy mayor, warns that shelter, food, and basic services remain critically insufficient for the influx of refugees. He urges immediate regional support to address the growing humanitarian crisis.