Kongoussi, Burkina Faso – The refugee crisis in Burkina Faso, embroiled in conflict since 2019, is the deepest in a series of neglected crises across Africa, according to a new report.
The West African country tops the list of neglected crises for the second year in a row, according to a report released Monday by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).
With a record 707,000 new displacements within the country’s borders, the humanitarian crisis in Burkina Faso has continued unabated in 2023, while hundreds of thousands of people have been cut off from aid.
The number of people killed in violence doubled last year, with more than 8,400 dead. At the same time, the number of Burkinabè refugees seeking refuge in neighboring countries has almost tripled, reaching a total of 148,317 according to UNHCR figures.
An unprecedented 42,000 people were suffering from catastrophic food insecurity and up to two million civilians were trapped in 36 blockaded cities across the country by the end of the year. As armed groups imposed movement bans, little or no humanitarian aid reached some of these areas. At least half a million people found themselves stuck in an almost total aid “blind spot”.
With more than 6,100 schools closed as of spring 2023, Burkina Faso was home to nearly half of all closed schools in Central and West Africa. Up to 400 health facilities were closed, and as many were able to provide only minimal services, leaving 3.6 million people without access to health care, a 70% increase from 2022.
On February 8, 2023, two staff members of Médecins sans frontières, known by its French initials MSF, were assassinated by an armed group in northwestern Burkina Faso. It was the first time since the start of the conflict that national aid workers from an international NGO were killed while providing lifesaving assistance.
As road access to many areas remained plagued by security incidents, humanitarian organizations increasingly relied on limited air transport, increasing operational costs and further limiting aid to those affected. people in need. Funding has declined, adding to the financial pressure on humanitarian organizations. Only 39 percent of response plan funding was covered in 2023, compared to 43 percent in 2022.
Independent media coverage has declined, with several international media outlets and journalists banned from working in Burkina Faso in 2023. Additionally, the national press has avoided sensitive topics due to increased risks.
A record 6.3 million people will need humanitarian assistance in 2024 and more than two million remain internally displaced. Although some have started to return home, concerns are growing about the protection of civilians. Returns, which according to the Kampala Convention must be voluntary, dignified and safe, are expected to become a major humanitarian issue by 2024.