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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.
Read more about what is causing violence in Burkina Faso, learn what the Sahel crisis is, and see how ShelterBox is helping.
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Kouka and her seven children are just one of the thousands of families who fled the violence.
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What is happening in Burkina Faso?
Burkina Faso is under threat from extremist attack in the Sahel, a belt of semi-arid land south of the Sahara Desert.
Less than ten years ago, Burkina Faso seemed like a beacon of stability in West Africa. In 2015 the country held its first democratic election ever, paving the way to what seemed like a bright future.
But since then Burkina Faso has seen an increase in violence from Jihadist groups, spreading from Mali. Armed groups quickly started expanding, crossing borders and setting up local groups across the Sahel region – including Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
Since 2019, insecurity has reached devastating levels and the number of Burkinabe people fleeing violence has skyrocketed.
The country has the largest number of people killed by violent extremism in the world.
Right now, Burkina Faso is one of the fastest-growing displacement crises in the continent.
According to the UN, more than one in every 20 people are forced to flee the violence.
Where is Burkina Faso?
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country situated in West Africa.
The country is landlocked; surrounded by Mali to the north and west, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the southeast, and Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo to the south.
Its landscape has a largely flat savanna terrain, with semi-arid conditions in the north, and greener, more fertile areas in the south. Burkina Faso has a tropical climate, with a distinct rainy and dry season. The climate is generally hot and dry, with limited rainfall in the north.
Its capital, Ouagadougou, saw a horrific terrorist attack at the beginning of 2016 which left 28 people dead, and 56 people injured.
The Sahel Crisis explained
The central Sahel region, which includes the countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, is facing one of the fastest-growing displacement crises in the world.
Yet, it is one of the most forgotten.
It is estimated that over 3 million people have been forced to flee their homes and at least 29 million are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.
The Sahel region of Africa is a 3,860-kilometre arc-like land mass lying to the immediate south of the Sahara Desert and stretching from east to west across the breadth of the African continent.
Families started fleeing the central Sahel region in 2011, after a violence outbreak in Northern Mali.
Increased displacement was reinforced by poverty, food insecurity, unemployment and the presence of armed groups. Climate change is also a challenge for families trying to flee.
Within Burkina Faso, violence and instability is intensifying. After a coup in 2022, Burkina Faso’s central government only controls about half of the country. The other half is run by armed groups that are blocking cities and towns, including large populations across Burkina Faso.
These blockades have impacted more than a million people in 46 locations, and they keep spreading. They make it hard for people to get important services, stop farming and trade, and destroy ways for people to make a living. In some towns, no new supplies have arrived for months, causing serious hunger problems.
Violence against women and girls is intensifying. In 2024, there were roughly 20 kidnappings per month. Women and girls are also at extreme risk when searching for basic essentials such as food and water.
Millions of people face severe violence and displacement every day.
Many people are living in crowded camps or buildings such as schools. The insecurity and instability make it difficult for aid workers to reach some of the people in need. A lack of resources is further hampering aid efforts across the country’s 13 regions – all of which are hosting displaced people.
Issaka and his daughter Adama received ShelterBox aid in 2020. Isaaka said: "We are very happy with what we received. As displaced people, this is the first time we have had such help. […] Thank you to everyone involved, may God give you long life so that you can continue to help all those in need."
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How is ShelterBox helping?
Some of the families forced to flee the violence in Burkina Faso are able to stay with relatives or friends, but many more are in crowded camps or buildings such as schools.
The insecurity and instability make it difficult for aid workers to reach some of the people in need. A lack of resources is further hampering aid efforts across the country’s 13 regions – all of which are hosting displaced people.
Despite the challenges, we have been working with our 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.
Recently, we have been working with HELP to provide aid items and emergency shelters known as Sahelian tents. These tents are constructed from locally sourced materials and offer a more durable structure for displaced families who have fled their homes to escape extremist violence. Further Sahelian tents will be constructed on concrete bases for added protection from flooding, hygiene and privacy.
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“Our life has completely changed now. We no longer have land for farming,
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“We had no choice” – Yabre’s Story fleeing violence
Yabre is one of the thousands of people who fled, leaving everything he owned behind. He is now living with his family in a camp for people who have fled the violence and have nowhere else to go.
We have provided Yabre and his family with tarpaulins, kitchen sets, mosquito nets and other essential aid items.
Yabre described the moment his life changed forever:
“When there were attacks in the market, we had no choice but to flee the village. We fled without taking anything with us. All the livestock remained in one place. We were welcomed in the schools for shelter then we came here.”
You can help more people like Yabre today.
Burkina Faso – Distributions from ShelterBox and HELP.
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How can I support people in Burkina Faso?
You can help us bring hope and relief to those who need it most. Every donation counts—it’s not just about giving; it’s about restoring dignity, safety, and hope to those who have lost everything.
Support people fleeing the conflict in Burkina Faso by donating now.
Your gift will ensure we can continue to support families with shelter and essential items, in Burkina Faso, and around the world.
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