Burkina Faso: the war in Ukraine raises fears of a drop in humanitarian aid
Internally displaced people from northern Burkina Faso, around a water pump, in Kaya, January 22, 2020 (Illustration photo).
OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT / AFP
Text by: RFI Follow
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The war in Ukraine could strongly impact humanitarian aid in Africa.
However, in Burkina Faso, the number of internally displaced persons has risen sharply since the beginning of the year.
The State indicates that 1.7 million people have had to leave their areas of residence due to the security crisis.
Four international organisations, Oxfam, Doctors of the World, Action Against Hunger and the Norwegian Refugee Council, issued a joint statement on Thursday as funds pledged last year have not been fully allocated and the war in Ukraine could lead to a sharp decline in humanitarian aid.
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There is great concern among organizations helping the displaced.
Because their number does not stop climbing.
Almost 10% of the population in Faso is now displaced, 80% of these people are under 18 years old.
And the promises of financial aid planned for 2021 are far from being achieved.
Those of 2022 could be reduced due to the war in Ukraine.
“
Burkina, Mali, Niger, there had been promises to the tune of 1.7 billion dollars and we are well below,
points out Marine Olivesi, spokesperson for the Norwegian Council for Refugees in Burkina Faso.
There is roughly a billion dollars missing, with the fear also that the crisis in Ukraine will disengage the donors a little more.
»
Within Doctors of the World, same concern.
Some donors have informed the organization that aid could be reduced by 70% due to the conflict in Ukraine.
Safia Torche leads the organization in Burkina Faso.
“
It is a real concern.
We are afraid that the funds will be diverted to Ukraine.
The needs have increased exponentially since the beginning of the year, and it is essential that funding follows this dramatic evolution in the country.
»
The Burkinabè branch of the Action Against Hunger organization fears a rise in grain prices, with Ukraine and Russia being major exporters to West Africa, while nearly 3 million Burkinabè are already facing food insecurity.
The observation that we make in this press release is above all that of funding promises that have not been met.
This translates into the fact that certain sectors of the humanitarian response are extremely underfunded.
Marine Olivesi, spokesperson for the Norwegian Refugee Council in Burkina Faso
Guillaume Thibault
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Burkina Faso
Ukraine
Humanitarian