October 2019 – Over the course of 2019, there has been increased insecurity in northern and eastern Burkina Faso, including attacks against civilians. This insecurity has contributed to significant population displacements, with almost 290,000 people fleeing their homes and finding refuge in neighboring communities, as of September 2019. These rapid population displacements caused severe loss of livelihoods, stress on host communities’ existing resources, and food insecurity. More than 1.5 million Burkinabés are now in need of humanitarian assistance with over 1.2 million people who are food insecure and close to 600,000 in need of nutrition assistance. In addition to the food and nutrition needs, which have more than quadrupled over the course of 2019, specific needs for shelter and household goods, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), protection and health services also more than doubled, especially for displaced and host communities. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) provides international protection and assistance to the world’s refugees, stateless persons, asylum seekers, and in some instances, internally displaced persons. With the support of GAC and other donors, the project aims to provide assistance and protection to refugees, internally displaced persons and other persons of concern in Burkina Faso. Project activities include: (1) providing shelter, clothing and other essential non-food items; (2) providing adequate water, sanitation and health services, including in reproductive health; (3) providing opportunities for education and livelihoods support; (4) providing protection, including against sexual and gender-based violence, child protection and working with governments to register asylum seekers and refugees, and help issue identity documents; (5) working with governments to support refugee self-reliance and forge peaceful relations between refugees and local citizens; and (6) expanding opportunities for durable solutions for people of concern
