Violence in Burkina Faso intensifies

Violence in Burkina Faso continues to force hundreds of thousands of people from their homes. Fighting between armed groups has spread across many parts of the country, leading to a humanitarian crisis.

‘The attacks have escalated very quickly, and we did not expect such a rapid deterioration of the situation,’ says Gaston Slanwa, Tearfund’s Country Director for Burkina Faso. ‘As a result, we are working closely with our partner organisations to see how to help people in most need.

‘In recent months our partners have been adapting from longer term development work to the emergency response. Please pray that God will restore peace to Burkina Faso.’

Key figures

781,517
People displaced

1,201
People killed

949,000
People in need

[source: UNHCR]

According to the UN, more than 600,000 people have been forced to flee in the last year – 150,000 in the last three weeks alone. By the end of this year, the total could reach 1 million people.

People's immediate needs include food and water. Their entire lives have been affected by this crisis. Many can’t access the land they farm on, so they have no way of providing for their families.

Tearfund has been working in Burkina Faso since the 1970s, and currently works with five partner organisations across the country. 

Join us in prayer for this rapidly developing and concerning crisis.

PLEASE PRAY

• Ask God to restore peace in Burkina Faso and protect vulnerable people, as well as our partners and Tearfund staff.

• Pray that Tearfund and our partners will be able to reach people in greatest need, especially those who have been forced to flee their homes.

• With Presidential elections due to happen later this year, please pray they would be peaceful.