burkina faso:
A People in Peril
The arid, Sahel nation faces a multidimensional crisis driven by insecurity, political instability, climate change and rising food prices. Millions are going hungry, but WFP is on the ground.
Drought and conflict in Burkina Faso are driving people from their homes and into poverty and hunger.
of the population relies on agriculture
people are internally displaced from their homes
people are expected to face hunger this year
Drought and Devastation
Burkina Faso is a semi-arid Sahel country, with a population of nearly 21 million. More than half (40%) of its population lives below the poverty line. The majority of the population depends on one season of rain-fed agriculture for their livelihoods, leaving the country vulnerable to climate shocks. The rising insecurity continues to deteriorate across all regions of Burkina Faso, resulting in a massive population displacement. As of April 2022, 1.6 million people are internally displaced from their homes.
Burkina Faso is experiencing a multi-faceted emergency caused by conflict, political instability, climate change events and rising food prices which has led to a deterioration in food and nutrition security for millions.
WFP’s Work in Burkina Faso
We’ve been in Burkina Faso since 1967. In partnerships with the government, international and national organizations, academia, local communities and the private sector, we’re working together to fight hunger.
Following a rise in violent attacks and increased displacements, the U.N. World Food Programme provides monthly food or cash assistance to internally displaced persons (IDP’s). The U.N. World Food Programme also provides Malian refugees residing in the Sahel region with a monthly ration consisting of cereal, beans, oil and cash.
Since 2004, the U.N. World Food Programme has been supporting the Burkinabe government by implementing a school feeding program across the Sahel region. Take-home rations are also a further incentive to attend school activities until they complete at least primary school.
Our livelihood opportunities contribute to improving the resilience of individuals and communities to both socioeconomic shocks and the effects of climate change. Support includes the provision of storage technologies, and training on post-harvest losses reduction and food processing. In 2019, we introduced a weather index-based insurance in various villages likely to be affected by drought.
Despite the difficulties posed by growing insecurity, the U.N. World Food Programme is implementing activities to prevent and treat malnutrition in children under the age of 5 as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls.
Help Save Lives by Sending Food
You help deliver food to vulnerable populations in Burkina Faso and other countries by donating to WFP.