The Operational Coordination Group for Rapid Response (GCORR) reported that almost 37,000 households have been displaced following 48 separate alerts, marking a significant 92% increase compared to the same period last year. In May alone, GCORR documented approximately 41,000 individuals affected by 12 displacement incidents across the nation.

The Boucle du Mouhoun region bears the brunt of this crisis, accounting for 45% of all internally displaced persons. Over 106,000 people, including more than 65,000 children, have sought refuge in 13 localities such as Dédougou, Di, and Tougan.

“Considerable” humanitarian requirements persist

Burkina Faso’s overall security situation remains precarious, characterized by persistent attacks across 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 acts of violence have generated “considerable” humanitarian needs across all sectors. The most pressing requirements include adequate shelter, food security, access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities, as well as protection and educational support.

While various organizations are actively engaged in providing assistance to those on the ground, substantial needs continue to outweigh the current response capacity.

Regarding nutrition, over 10,000 children nationwide were admitted for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) 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.

Severe acute malnutrition crisis

From January to April, more than 36,000 children received treatment for acute malnutrition, with over 20,000 of them residing in insecure zones. 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. Among these, more than 8,000 children were suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

The worsening security environment significantly hampers humanitarian operations, creating access barriers, elevating operational risks, and intensifying the assistance requirements for affected populations.

Following attacks in the Est and Sahel regions, critical 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. The entire population, estimated at approximately 48,000 people (comprising both displaced individuals and host communities), has been severely affected by a jihadist blockade that has prevented supplies from entering the town since December 2024.

Through its local partners, UNICEF is implementing various programs in Djibo, focusing on water, sanitation, and hygiene, education, child protection, health, and nutrition initiatives.

Both humanitarian workers and the affected communities face constant threats from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and kidnappings. UNICEF further highlighted that “beyond access difficulties, the scarcity of resources presents another significant challenge, impacting the capacity to respond effectively in insecurity-affected regions.”