The humanitarian situation in Burkina Faso has significantly deteriorated since late 2019 due to the presence of armed groups, increasing conflicts and intercommunity clashes. An estimated 3.5 million people need humanitarian assistance in 2021, particularly in the North and East of the country. Worsening insecurity has sparked an unprecedented internal displacement crisis, with more than 1.9 million people uprooted from their homes since 2018. In addition, youth unemployment is soaring in the six conflict-affected areas, pushing many to join armed groups. Vital basic services have been badly affected, particularly protection services, education and health care, as well as access to water for humans and livestock. Food insecurity and malnutrition, already chronic issues and requiring a seasonal response each year, are most worrying in the conflict-affected areas and risk deteriorating further.

In support of the humanitarian response in Burkina Faso, the RC/HC and HCT requested a P2P Support Mission to help the HCT identify challenges and opportunities for a people-centered and fit-for-purpose humanitarian footprint, and articulate concrete ways to enhance the humanitarian response and the collaboration with development and peace actors. The P2P mission team led a series of bilaterals, met with key coordination fora, and held 14 workshops with 225 participants in Dori (Sahel), Fada (East), Ouahigouya (North), Kaya (Centre North) and the capital Ouagadougou. The team also met with affected communities in Faya, Fada, Dori and Ouahigouya.

The mission culminated in a Retreat where the HCT agreed on an Action Plan on strengthening the humanitarian response, including on a stronger HCT narrative and strategic direction on the humanitarian situation; better duty of care; more flexible and rapid coordination structures; and renewed efforts in areas such as protection, AAP, humanitarian access, localization and the Nexus.

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