The Operational Coordination Group for Rapid Response (GCORR) reported that nearly 37,000 households have been uprooted following 48 displacement alerts. This represents a significant 92% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

In May alone, GCORR documented approximately 41,000 individuals impacted by 12 displacement alerts across the country.

The Boucle du Mouhoun region has borne the brunt of this crisis, with over 106,000 people displaced, including more than 65,000 children, across 13 localities such as Dédougou, Di, and Tougan. This figure accounts for 45% of all internally displaced persons.

Substantial humanitarian requirements

The overall security landscape in Burkina Faso continues to be marked by persistent attacks across the Sahel, Nord, Centre-Nord, Est, Centre-Est, and Boucle du Mouhoun regions. These assaults have targeted 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 shelter, food security, access to water, sanitation and hygiene, protection, and education.

In response to this escalating crisis, various organizations have stepped in to support those already on the ground. Despite ongoing assistance efforts, substantial needs persist.

Regarding nutrition, over 10,000 children nationwide were admitted for treatment of severe acute malnutrition in April. More than half of these cases originated from regions heavily affected by jihadist violence, including Boucle du Mouhoun, Nord, Est, Sahel, and Centre-Nord.

Severe acute malnutrition

From January through April, more than 36,000 children received treatment for malnutrition, with over 20,000 of them residing in insecure areas.

By the end of May, 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 this group, more than 8,000 children were suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

More broadly, the deteriorating security situation significantly impedes humanitarian operations, making access challenging, increasing operational risks, and heightening the need for assistance among affected populations.

Following attacks in the Est and Sahel regions, vital local infrastructure, particularly in health, education, water, and administration, has been destroyed.

Djibo, a city under jihadist blockade

Among the hardest-hit areas is Djibo, located in the Soum province in northern Burkina Faso, where the entire population of approximately 48,000 people (comprising both displaced individuals and host communities) has been affected. The city has been under a jihadist blockade, preventing supplies from entering since December 2024.

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

Humanitarian workers, much like the affected populations, face the constant threat of improvised explosive devices and kidnappings. “Beyond access difficulties, the scarcity of resources presents another major challenge, impacting the capacity to respond effectively in insecurity-affected regions,” UNICEF emphasized.