Burkina Faso Continues to Top the List of Most Neglected Crisis for Consecutive Years
For the second consecutive year, Burkina Faso holds the unfortunate title of being the world’s most neglected displacement crisis, as reported by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). Learn more about the ongoing challenges faced by Burkina Faso in this critical situation.
Burkina Faso has been designated as the most overlooked displacement crisis globally for the second consecutive year by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).
According to the NRC's latest annual report released on Monday, the West African nation experienced a record-breaking 707,000 new displacements in 2023, primarily due to increasing violence and a deteriorating humanitarian situation.
Nine out of the 10 most neglected crises listed in the report were in Africa, with Cameroon, Central African Republic, Mali, and Niger ranking second to fifth respectively.
According to a press release by the NRC on Monday, the criteria for neglected displacement crises include a lack of humanitarian funding, minimal media attention, and insufficient international political and diplomatic efforts compared to the scale of the crisis.
The NCR report said 2023 saw a record-breaking shortfall in aid budgets of around $32 billion, leaving more than half of humanitarian needs worldwide unmet.
Neglect now ‘the new normal’
In 2023, the report highlighted that media coverage and international political attention towards the displacement crisis in Burkina Faso were minimal. Additionally, only 37% of the required humanitarian funding had been provided to the country, creating a substantial aid gap.
Jan Egeland, the Secretary General of NRC, expressed concern over the lack of attention and support for displaced individuals, stating that this neglect has unfortunately become the new standard.
The local political and military elites show no concern for the suffering they create, and the world remains unmoved by stories of desperation and alarming statistics. It's time for a worldwide reset of unity and a shift towards addressing the most urgent needs.
Rights groups have previously accused the military in junta-ruled Burkina Faso of attacking and killing civilians suspected of collaborating with militants in retaliatory operations.
Rights organizations have accused the military in Burkina Faso, which is ruled by a junta, of attacking and killing civilians believed to be working with militants in revenge operations.
Related article
Burkina Faso army executed over 220 villagers in February, HRW says
Media coverage in Burkina Faso has decreased as access has become more challenging for both journalists and humanitarian organizations.
Currently, Burkina Faso is under military rule following a coup d’état in July 2022. The junta, led by acting president Captain Ibrahim Traore, has focused on security in response to the numerous casualties from attacks.
A Human Rights Watch (HRW) report in April this year revealed that over 200 individuals were killed by the country's military in a crackdown on civilians suspected of working with armed groups, potentially constituting war crimes.
In response to these allegations, Burkina Faso issued a government press release stating that it strongly denies and condemns these baseless accusations.
The Superior Council for Communication, the country's media regulatory body, announced that it would temporarily suspend broadcasting and access to websites of certain western news organizations. This includes French TV5 Monde, Le Monde, the Guardian, BBC Africa, and VOA.
According to a report, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continued to be one of the most neglected crises for the eighth consecutive year. By the end of 2023, approximately 6.9 million people were displaced, with the majority located in the eastern provinces.
People in need of aid in Sudan have been forced to resort to negative coping mechanisms, such as exchanging sexual favors for basic necessities like food and money. This is due to the lack of support available to them.
Sudan is ranked at number ten in terms of humanitarian crisis. Despite the devastating consequences of the war that began in April last year - with tens of thousands dead, over eight million internally displaced, and nearly 25 million in need of assistance - the NRC has pointed out that this crisis has been severely overlooked.
Reccurent attacks
Violence-related deaths in Burkina Faso doubled in 2023, according to the NRC. The country faces recurrent attacks often blamed on “terrorists.”
The murder of two Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) aid workers in February last year led to the organization suspending activities in the region. According to the report, by the end of the year, around two million people were trapped in 36 blockaded towns, with over 40,000 facing severe food insecurity.
A displaced mother named Asseta in northern Burkina Faso shared her struggles with NRC researchers. She mentioned, "When we have nothing to cook, I pick leaves and boil them in water," as quoted in the organization's release.
Egeland emphasized the growing difficulty in reaching those in need due to dangerous roads and the prohibitively expensive minimal air services.
Burkina Faso's junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traore (C) seized power in September 2022 after a military coup.
Burkina Faso's junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traore (C) seized power in September 2022 after a military coup.
Issouf Sanogo/AFP/Getty Images
Related article
Burkina Faso extends military rule for five years
"Donors and humanitarians should focus on areas that are often overlooked to prevent them from being forgotten," he emphasized.
According to the NRC, approximately 6.3 million individuals will require humanitarian aid in 2024, with more than two million still displaced within their own country.
Many civilians have lost their lives in various attacks this year. In March alone, around 170 people were killed in three villages, while approximately 30 others died in separate mosque and church attacks in February.
According to the NRC's report, neglected crises often have interconnected consequences. These ripple effects can extend beyond borders, impacting neighboring countries and even causing broader regional impacts.
Competition over resources between refugees and local communities, driven by a lack of funds, can also cause tension.
Editor's P/S:
The plight of displaced individuals in Burkina Faso, as highlighted in the NRC report, is deeply concerning. The lack of attention and support for these vulnerable populations is a shameful reflection of the international community's indifference to human suffering. The ongoing violence and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Burkina Faso demand urgent intervention.
It is equally disturbing to learn of the allegations of human rights abuses by the military against civilians suspected of aiding militants. Such actions are not only reprehensible but also serve to further destabilize the region. The international community must hold perpetrators accountable and demand an end to these atrocities. The ongoing media suppression by the ruling junta further hinders humanitarian efforts and prevents the world from witnessing the true extent of the crisis.
