Crisis in Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso: Key facts

• Population: 23.8 million
• Area: 273,600 KM2
• Literacy rate: 34.5%
• Life expectancy: 60 years

The richly decorated Royal Court of Tiébélé was the third site in Burkina Faso to be inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2024. Together with the ruins of Loropéni and the traces of iron production in the country dating back up to 2800 years, they bear witness to a culturally rich history.

Sadly, the country's the recent past is characterised by bloody conflicts and violence. Almost ten years ago, social unrest broke out. This was followed by conflicts throughout the country and the displacement of millions of people. The military took power again in 2022.

The brutal fighting, particularly in the north and east of the country, is ongoing. The population is often caught in the crossfire without protection. Humanitarian aid delivery is dangerous due to repeated attacks on aid convoys.

Harvest becomes scarce, nutrition extremely expensive

According to UN estimates, 6.3 million people in Burkina Faso are dependent on humanitarian aid. In 2019, this figure was just under one million, an increase of more than 660 percent in five years. In addition, around 2.7 million people are affected by acute hunger.

The unstable security situation has led to a decline in agricultural production. This is compounded by changing climatic conditions and increasingly long periods of drought. The remaining scarce harvest is sold at higher prices.

Violence and hunger are forcing many families to pack up their remaining belongings and flee. Currently, more than two million people – almost ten percent of the population – are displaced within their own country. 82 percent of those displaced are women and children.

CARE in Burkina Faso

CARE supports a wide range of activities in Burkina Faso that are focused on the needs of displaced people and host communities.

Together with local organisations, CARE distributes hygiene packages and cash, rehabilitates water points and puts in place measures to combat gender-based violence. We also provide economic training for micro-entrepreneurs and support the involvement of women in local decision-making processes.

CARE is working alongside three women's organizations in Burkina Faso: Wenpanga, Waa-Manegdba and Maneg Taaba. A recent development is the cultivation of plants without soil and the production of organic fertilisers, since arable land is scarce. Women are trained in this and pass on their knowledge to other women. This improves nutrition in many households because they harvest again, and also increases income.

Ten forgotten crises

The CARE Crisis Report is published annually and highlights the ten crises that receive the least media attention. In 2024 Burkina Faso ranked as the fourth least reported crisis in the world.