Burkina Faso’s Humanitarian Crisis: A Generation at Risk

Burkina Faso is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis, with 6.3 million individuals in need of assistance, more than half are children. Violence by armed groups, political instability, and the effects of climate change have led to large-scale displacement and suffering in the country. Over 2 million individuals are displaced, 58% of whom are children. These children are at higher risk of developing infectious diseases as a consequence of overcrowding in  camps and are thus more prone to illness like respiratory infections. Additionally, many children experience intense psychological trauma given that they witness extreme violence. The country has only 102 mental health practitioners for its 20 million citizens, however, so children lack access to psychological care.

Education too has been severely impacted, as schools were targeted for attack, resulting in 22% of schools shutting down and 3 out of 4 displaced children being deprived of education. Water point attacks and climate change effects have increased food insecurity, and 1.4 million children are vulnerable to hunger. This crisis is encroaching on children's basic rights to health, education, and nutrition, and its impact will most likely be felt by them throughout their lives. The international community must move fast to provide required humanitarian aid and protect the future of Burkinabe children.

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