The consequences of jihadist violence in Burkina Faso are one of the most escalating yet one of most overlooked humanitarian crisis in the world. In fact Burkina Faso now sits atop in the list of the most neglected displacement crises, a recent report form the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) says.
The report compiled by the NRC further delineating the worsening situation in Burkina Faso said that the Ukraine war has diverted the attention and aid of the world from the most vulnerable people on the face of the planet. It was stated that that during past five years, Burkina Faso had “more than 14,000 people” killed; “half of them since January 2022” and more than two million internally displaced people. In 2022, the report further details that “increasing violence and displacement (of populations) have left almost one in four Burkinabè in need of humanitarian assistance.” Countries like Burundi, Mali, Cameroon, El Salvador and Ethiopia complete this top 10 as DR. Congo follows Burkina Faso on this list.
Burkina Faso has been plagued by the jihadist violence since 2015. The militias have attacked the water resources, forced the schools to close thus controlling about 40% of the country. One quarter of the population depends entirely upon the humanitarian aid, whilst the siege on the city of Djibo has left many with no other option to eat leaves in order to survive. NRC report further states that 2 million people in the Burkina Faso have been displaced, whereas 800,000 people have no access to services.
The report portrays the decline in the attention and aid to the most serious humanitarian crisis in the world. Ukraine received five times more media coverage and four times more funding than the world’s 10 most crucial displacement crises. Last year’s humanitarian response was only 42% funded and according to this year’s plan, launched in April, has received only 18% (£659m) of the $882m requested. NRC stated that Africa, where the bulk of 10 most neglected crisis, suffered a 7% drop in aid in 2022 as money was redirected towards Ukraine and hosting Ukrainian refugees.
