Burkina Faso

Year-end Overview

Plan Overview

Operational environment

 Rigorous security measures continue to result in the reduction of movements in the Sahel region in general and at the Malian border in particular. Relations between host populations and refugees in the Sahel region remain satisfactory and the Government of Burkina Faso shows continued willingness to accompany UNHCR in all initiatives aimed at improving the peaceful cohabitation and security of the camps and the host populations.
 
The number of partners will be reduced in 2019 and focus will be on the rationalization of resources and maintaining efficient solutions-oriented services to refugees. UNHCR’s plan and activities in Burkina Faso in 2019 have been collectively elaborated and endorsed by all of the stakeholders, including partners, refugees, government parties, UN agencies and donors.
 
UNHCR continues to work closely with the Government of Burkina Faso through its National Refugee Commission (CONAREF) and National Emergency and Relief Commission (CONASUR). The Government of Burkina Faso continues to fulfil its obligations vis-à-vis protection for refugees and asylum-seekers.
 
UNHCR actively participates in the implementation of the current UNDAF 2018-2020, by integrating the priorities of refugees living in Burkina Faso and their needs. These priorities focus on protection, the expansion of access to national social services for refugees, the integration of camp health and school facilities into the national systems; the inclusion of refugees in local development programmes and the reduction of statelessness.
 
In 2019, the operation will continue to ensure that refugees are protected by the Government of Burkina Faso, live in safety and dignity with host communities, and progressively attain lasting solutions through the promotion of solutions oriented programming, emergency response to new arrivals, protection of people of concern in mixed migration flows and prevention and reduction of statelessness.
 
The promotion of the inclusion of refugees in the National Development Plan and the UNDAF will continue to provide an opportunity for UNHCR and development partners to initiate projects linked to the long-term aspirations of the refugees and host communities and thus ensuring sustainability. These activities will go a long way to create a favourable protection environment where refugees are able to achieve self-reliance.
 

Key priorities

 UNHCR will continue enhancing Malian refugees’ legal and physical protection, giving priority to child protection and victims of violence. In addition to pursuing durable solutions, such as facilitated repatriation, UNHCR will also strengthen capacity-building, and access to livelihoods and income-generating opportunities through cash-based interventions.
 
UNHCR will facilitate access to primary health care through its health services to reduce malnutrition rates. UNHCR will also strive to reinforce peaceful coexistence by granting host communities access to basic services.
 
As part of 2019’s priorities, UNHCR will initiate alternatives to camps and facilitate access to primary education. Finally, UNHCR will strive to address root the causes of statelessness by engaging key institutional actors at the national level.