An integrated high-level mission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will visit Burkina Faso from March 21 to 27, 2023, according to the website of the sub-regional organization. The objective is to assess and validate the technical humanitarian needs of the country for the year 2023.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sent an integrated technical humanitarian needs assessment and validation mission to Burkina Faso on Tuesday, March 21.
According to the organization, “This mission is part of the implementation of the decision of paragraph 31 of the 62nd Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government which orders the President of the ECOWAS Commission to take urgent measures to assist Burkina Faso in dealing with the humanitarian crisis,” ECOWAS said.
“This crisis is the result of massive population displacements and a drastic reduction in agricultural, animal and food production in areas affected by insecurity due to attacks and threats from armed terrorist groups.
In fact, according to the experts’ assessment, “onJanuary 31, data from the Permanent Secretariat of the National Relief and Rehabilitation Council of Burkina Faso (SP/CONASUR) show 1,938,792 internally displaced persons (IDPs), out of 273,926 households in 302 communes out of 365, and in the 13 regions of the country “, states the sub-regional organization
This worrying humanitarian situation has, as a result, led to an increase in needs in all areas, mainly in the areas of food, shelter and survival equipment, education, health, nutrition, water, hygiene, sanitation, protection and livelihoods support.
In addition, the mission, composed of experts from the Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs and the ECOWAS Peacekeeping and Regional Security Directorate, will have exchanges with Burkinabe officials and humanitarian actors.