Influx of displaced people in Burkina: demographic pressure on land where people are already victims of threats and droughts

Located in the north-west of Burkina Faso, the Province of Kossi has 10 communes of which the town of Nouna is the capital. 

The Daughters of Charity, who have been in place since 2009, participate in the development of the commune and the diocese through their commitment to education, health and pastoral support for the poorest people and prisoners. 

The context of insecurity, which has worsened over the past two years, has further weakened the socio-economic situation of the population, which is seeing an unprecedented influx of people forced to flee attacks by jihadist groups.

"The cause of the problem is terrorism. The surrounding villages are emptying to escape the terrorist threats and families are finding refuge in Nouna, which is safer from the threats" Sr Toyin

In this country where the dry season lasts 9 months, the region is also experiencing impoverishment of local communities with the recent periods of drought.

The project: Ensuring food security for the displaced population of the commune of Nouna.

The living conditions of these families are precarious and they face food shortages and limited access to health care, especially for pregnant women, children and the elderly.

« Victims who flee to protect themselves from terrorist attacks or who are driven out of their villages by threats often move without their property and find themselves in a certain vulnerability that affects their dignity and exposes them to all sorts of abuse » Sr Toyin

The sisters' community has few means to support these displaced people but also to relieve the few families who are hosting them. 

This Rosalie Project, led by Sr Toyin who lives alongside them and shares their difficulties, aims to finance food and basic necessities (hygiene kits, kitchen utensils) for this population estimated at 50 households, i.e. 350 people.

« The security crisis is undermining social cohesion and disrupting development efforts in the region.

With your support, we will be able to help these families who are left with nothing to meet their basic needs, especially their food security » Sr Toyin