According to the Operational Coordination Group for Rapid Response (GCORR), nearly 37,000 households have been displaced following 48 separate displacement alerts. This figure represents a staggering 92% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. In May alone, the GCORR documented approximately 41,000 individuals affected by 12 displacement incidents across Burkina Faso.

The Boucle du Mouhoun region has borne the brunt of this crisis, accounting for 45% of all internally displaced persons. Over 106,000 people, including more than 65,000 children, have been forced from their homes in 13 localities, such as Dédougou, Di, and Tougan.

Critical humanitarian needs surge

The overall security landscape in Burkina Faso remains volatile, characterized by persistent attacks in the Sahel, Nord, Centre-Nord, Est, Centre-Est, and Boucle du Mouhoun regions. These assaults have targeted the national Forces de défense et de sécurité, the Volontaires pour la défense de la patrie (VDP), and local civilian populations.

UNICEF reports that these widespread acts of violence have generated “considerable” humanitarian needs across all essential sectors. The most pressing requirements include emergency shelter, food security, access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), protection services, and educational support.

In response to this deepening crisis, numerous organizations are actively working to provide assistance to those on the ground. However, despite ongoing efforts, substantial unmet needs persist.

On the nutritional front, over 10,000 children nationwide were admitted for treatment of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in April. More than half of these cases originated from regions most affected by jihadist violence, including Boucle du Mouhoun, Nord, Est, Sahel, and Centre-Nord.

Addressing severe acute malnutrition

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

The deteriorating security situation significantly hampers humanitarian operations, impeding access to affected populations, escalating operational risks, and intensifying the need for assistance. Recent attacks in the Est and Sahel regions have resulted in the destruction of vital local infrastructure, particularly in health, education, water, and administrative services.

Djibo: a town under jihadist blockade

Among the most severely impacted areas is Djibo, located in the Soum province in northern Burkina Faso. The entire population of approximately 48,000 residents (comprising both displaced individuals and host communities) has been affected by a jihadist blockade that has prevented supplies from reaching the town since December 2024.

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

Humanitarian workers, much like the vulnerable populations they serve, face immense dangers, including the risk of improvised explosive devices and kidnappings. UNICEF emphasizes that beyond the challenges of access, a critical shortage of resources presents another significant hurdle, severely impacting the capacity to respond effectively in the insecurity-stricken regions.