Raguianga’s story: The Sahel Tent

Raguianga shares his first hand experience of displacement and survival in Burkina Faso – the world’s most neglected humanitarian crisis.

Raguianga outside of his Sahel tent.
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The world’s most neglected crisis – displacement in Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso has been hit hard by an escalating security crisis, forcing many families to flee their homes. Declared the world’s “most neglected crisis” by the Norwegian Refugee Council in 2024, all 13 regions of the country are affected.

Amid this chaos, humanitarian aid has become crucial in providing displaced families not just with shelter but a chance to reclaim their dignity and rebuild their lives.

The Sahel tent: a lifeline in crisis

In response to the urgent need for safe, resilient housing, we introduced the Sahel Tent. Originally designed to support families through their first 1.5 years of displacement, the tent was quickly adapted for more long-term living.

Enhancements, such as a concrete base to combat flooding and improve hygiene, have transformed the shelter into a robust, dignified refuge in a region where every day is a battle against the elements.

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Raguianga’s journey

For many displaced families, the Sahel Tent represents more than temporary relief, it offers hope and a new beginning.

Raguianga, a 60-year-old father of fifteen children, shares his experience:

“We’ve been taking refuge here for a year because of the insecurity. The day they came into our village, we ran for our lives.”

“The armed groups, around 80 fighters in pairs, came to give us an ultimatum of ten days to leave the village or face reprisals. They didn’t kill anyone that day. We spent fifteen days before fleeing, while some people left immediately. We arrived here empty-handed because our lives are more precious than the riches we left behind. We walked with our belongings in our carts. We spent three months in another village before we moved here.”

Before receiving support, his family endured severe hardships:

“When we first arrived, our living conditions were difficult because we had no fields and no accommodation. At night, I slept under the stars. It was the women and my children who slept in the two makeshift huts. If it rained, we slept on top of each other.”

Restoring dignity and safety with thoughtful aid

With support from our partners, HELP, Raguianga’s living conditions underwent a significant transformation:

“With the help we received from HELP and ShelterBox, our living conditions have greatly improved. The shelter allows us to live with dignity. Since I got the shelter, I’ve destroyed a hut to make a makeshift toilet instead.”

“We received a shelter, bags of cement, cooking utensils, blankets, mats, soap, solar lamps, water containers, etc. The most useful item is the shelter, because it’s first and foremost a tool for preserving human intimacy. We’re also sheltered from the rain and the cold and that’s done a lot to reduce some of the children’s illnesses.”

He emphasises the profound impact of the aid:

“The shelter and other aid have improved my family’s living conditions in terms of health, food, housing, and hygiene. And I’m very happy with HELP and ShelterBox. We bless them day and night. Their help gives us hope of a second life.”

Building Sahel tents in Burkina Faso, 2024.
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Hope, resilience and a new beginning

Raguianga’s story is a testament to the power of compassionate humanitarian intervention. The Sahel Tent not only provides physical shelter but also renews hope, restores human dignity, and reinforces the vital bonds of community, even amid instability.

Each improvement, whether it’s a reinforced concrete base or essential household items, is a stride toward normalcy and empowerment for families who have lost so much.

Burkina Faso update

The world’s fastest-growing humanitarian crisis is currently unfolding in Burkina Faso. Over 2 million people need shelter after being forced to flee their homes due to extremist violence.

We’re working with a local partner HELP to support the most vulnerable communities. Together we’ve supported over 5,000 families since 2020. We’ve provided tarpaulins, kitchen sets, sleeping mats, blankets, soap and buckets. We’re providing emergency shelters like Sahelian tent to allow people to get back on their feet.

Our work in Burkina Faso