Jihadist group aggression has uprooted nearly 230,000 individuals in Burkina Faso since the year began, humanitarian organizations have warned. They highlight that the volatile security situation continues to severely impact children and their families across this central Sahel nation.
The Operational Coordination Group for Rapid Response (GCORR) reported that approximately 37,000 households have been displaced following 48 displacement alerts. This marks a significant 92% increase compared to the same period in the previous year, 2024.
In May alone, the GCORR documented nearly 41,000 individuals affected by 12 displacement alerts across Burkina Faso.
The Boucle du Mouhoun region has borne the brunt of this crisis, with over 106,000 people displaced, including more than 65,000 children, across 13 localities such as Dédougou, Di, and Tougan. This figure accounts for 45% of all internally displaced persons in the country.
Extensive humanitarian requirements
The overall security landscape in Burkina Faso remains precarious, characterized by persistent attacks in the Sahel, Nord, Centre-Nord, Est, Centre-Est, and Boucle du Mouhoun regions. These assaults have targeted the national Defense and Security Forces, Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), and local communities.
According to UNICEF, these widespread hostilities have generated extensive humanitarian needs across all sectors. The most critical requirements include emergency 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 relief efforts, substantial needs continue to persist.
Regarding nutrition, 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
From January to April, over 36,000 children received treatment for malnutrition, with more than 20,000 of them residing in insecure areas.
By the end of May, a total of 179,000 individuals (representing 28% of the 1.3 million people in need), including over 25,000 children, had been treated for acute malnutrition. Within this group, more than 8,000 children were suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
Broadly, the deteriorating security situation significantly hampers humanitarian operations, impeding access, elevating operational risks, and increasing the need for assistance among affected populations.
Following attacks in the Est and Sahel regions, vital local infrastructure, particularly in health, education, water systems, and administration, has been destroyed.
Djibo: a town under jihadist blockade
Among the hardest-hit areas is the entire population of Djibo, located in the Soum province in northern Burkina Faso, estimated at approximately 48,000 people (both displaced individuals and host communities). The town has been cut off from supplies since December 2024.
UNICEF implements various programs in Djibo through its local partners, focusing on water, sanitation, and hygiene, education, child protection, health, and nutrition initiatives.
Humanitarian aid workers, much like the affected communities, face significant dangers, including the risk of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and abductions. UNICEF emphasized, “Beyond access difficulties, the scarcity of resources presents another major challenge, impacting response capabilities in regions affected by insecurity.”
