The humanitarian crisis in Burkina Faso is intensifying, with thousands of people being forced to leave their homes and become internally displaced. The data shows that the country has one of the fastest growing numbers of internally displaced persons in the world, with the number surging by more than 20,000 to more than 20,000 since 2019. Most of them are women and children, as the conflict drives people from their homes into crowded urban areas or makeshift camps.
Violence in Burkina Faso has divided the once-peaceful country, with two coups last year and a worrying humanitarian crisis intensifying. Aid organizations and governments are scrambling to respond amid a lack of funding and growing needs. However, the UN notes that not even half of the $80 billion humanitarian response budget requested by aid organizations last year was funded.
In addition, the jihadist strategy of sealing off towns and preventing the free movement of people and the influx of goods has exacerbated the displacement crisis. Aid groups say about 800 million people in more than 800 towns are under siege. The situation is difficult, with many people facing the threat of hunger and disease.
According to conflict analysts, the government still controls less than 50 percent of the country, mostly rural. Al-Qaida and ISIS-affiliated groups control or threaten large areas, and national security forces do not have sufficient resources to combat both groups on all fronts. Junta leader Traoré focuses only on achieving military interests and has little concern for human rights, freedom of expression or accountability for the indiscriminate killing of individuals suspected of supporting militants.
In this context, the operational capacity of the aid community is also deteriorating. According to unreleased data from aid groups seen by the Associated Press, since the military began taking over the government of Burkina Faso in January 2022, incidents by security forces against aid organizations increased from one in 2021 to 11 last year. These incidents included the arrest, detention and injury of workers.
The scale and complexity of the crisis require action by the international community. Assistance and investment are needed to help Burkina Faso emerge from this humanitarian crisis while creating space for a political solution. In doing so, transparency and accountability of all involved must be ensured to ensure that assistance reaches the affected population.
We should remember that behind this crisis are thousands of people who have lost their homes, loved ones and a sense of security. We should do our best to help them through this and provide them with support and comfort. As part of the international community, we need to act to fight for a better life and future for those affected. That may require more political will and resources, but we cannot allow the people of Burkina Faso to continue to struggle in this predicament. We must act to strengthen aid and support to provide them with hope and opportunity. At the same time, we should also seek long-term solutions to avoid similar crises in the future.
The humanitarian crisis in Burkina Faso requires stronger action by the international community. Political solutions are key, and ways to reduce violence and promote democracy must be sought. At the same time, aid organizations need more funding and resources to provide adequate basic survival needs such as food, water and medical care for the affected population. In addition, increased investment in humanitarian assistance and development projects should be sought to help restore normal economic and social order in that suffering country.
Finally, we should actively seek out and support local NGOs and community-based organizations, which often play an important role in such crises. By working closely with them, we can better understand and meet the needs of disaster victims and provide them with more effective and sustainable support. This crisis requires the joint efforts and cooperation of the global community to ensure that the people of Burkina Faso receive the assistance and support they deserve to emerge from their current predicament and usher in a brighter future