Jihadist violence in Burkina Faso has led to the displacement of nearly 230,000 individuals since the start of the year, humanitarian agencies report. This ongoing security crisis severely impacts children and families across the central Sahel nation.
The Rapid Response Operational Coordination Group (GCORR) indicates that approximately 37,000 households have been uprooted due to 48 displacement alerts. This marks a significant 92% increase compared to the corresponding period in 2024.
In May alone, GCORR recorded nearly 41,000 people affected by 12 displacement alerts nationwide.
The Boucle du Mouhoun region bears the brunt of the crisis, accounting for 45% of all internally displaced persons. Over 106,000 individuals, including more than 65,000 children, have been displaced across 13 localities such as Dédougou, Di, and Tougan.
Significant humanitarian needs emerge
The overall security landscape in Burkina Faso is characterized by relentless attacks in the Sahel, Nord, Centre-Nord, Est, Centre-Est, and Boucle du Mouhoun regions. These assaults have targeted national defense and security forces, Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), and local communities.
UNICEF reports that this escalating violence has created “considerable” humanitarian needs across all sectors. The most critical requirements include shelter, food security, water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), protection, and education.
In response to this pressing crisis, numerous organizations have stepped up to support those on the ground. Despite ongoing relief efforts, substantial needs persist.
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.
Addressing severe acute malnutrition
Between January and April, over 36,000 children were admitted for malnutrition treatment, with more than 20,000 from insecure zones.
By the close of May, 179,000 individuals (representing 28% of the 1.3 million people in need), including over 25,000 children, had received treatment for acute malnutrition. Among them, more than 8,000 children were suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
Broadly, the deteriorating security situation significantly hampers humanitarian operations. It restricts access, elevates operational risks, and intensifies the assistance requirements for affected populations.
Following attacks in the Est and Sahel regions, vital local infrastructure, particularly in health, education, water, and administration, has been destroyed.
Djibo: a town under jihadist blockade
Among the hardest-hit areas is Djibo, located in the Soum province in northern Burkina Faso. Its entire population, estimated at 48,000 (comprising both displaced individuals and host communities), is severely impacted, as the town has been under a jihadist blockade and without supplies since December 2024.
Through its local partners, UNICEF is implementing various programs in Djibo, focusing on water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), education, child protection, health, and nutrition.
Humanitarian workers, much like the affected populations, face grave risks from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and kidnappings. UNICEF emphasized that beyond access challenges, a critical shortage of resources severely impacts response capacities in insecurity-affected regions.
