In a context marked by insecurity, multiple displacements, and the COVID 19 pandemic, and due to resource constraints, there has been an increase in certain needs. These mainly include:
Self Reliance:
Given the loss of livelihoods - especially for women - the needs for Income Generating Activities (IGAs), vocational training and support for successful integration have increased. Refugees, who have fled the camps and relocated to safer urban areas and IDPs have lost their means of subsistence. Providing vocational training opportunities to refugees and IDPs to support them in acquiring marketable skills will strengthen their resilience and enable them be more independent. As a result, negative coping mechanisms, such as survival sex, early marriage, recruitment into armed groups or exposure to trafficking would diminish.
Social Cohesion :
As insecurity and indiscriminate violence committed by armed groups continues, UNHCR is witnessing a rise in mistrust between communities. Refugees are sometimes accused of collaborating with armed groups which can be detrimental to peaceful coexistence between the refugee and the host populations. The activities planned for strengthening social cohesion were not sufficient for the increasing scale and severity of the situation and more robust interventions are needed.
Gender-based violence :
The prevalence of gender-based violence turned out to be much greater than anticipated. To respond to urgent needs a new mechanism needs to be adapted to the current situation, while taking into account the inadequacy of the existing mechanisms. The decline of basic social services, health services in particular which have been closed to insecurity and targeted attacks – has been a limiting factor.
Psychosocial :
Cases of psychological trauma are increasing and particularly affect women and children. The scale calls for the strengthening of care services.
Education :
The deterioration of the security situation and the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the closure of many schools in Burkina Faso.
Environment :
The impact of the crisis in an environment affected by recurrent droughts, floods, scarce resources, particularly arable land and wood for domestic energy calls fora more sustained intervention, especially in areas impacted by displacements.