Burkina Faso is one of the fastest-growing displacement crises in Africa. It is estimated that about 2.5 million people have been forced to flee their homes, and at least 13.4 million require humanitarian assistance.
The instability, insecurity, and the pandemic present in Burkina Faso has made it difficult for aid workers to reach displaced families. ShelterBox has partnered with NGO Help to support vulnerable families.
Rihanata’s family is one of the 900 families who received aid from ShelterBox. Rihanata and her family were forced to flee their home and take refuge in another village with only one makeshift shelter made from plastic bags. After receiving aid from ShelterBox, they have been able to live more comfortably.
“We fled in broad daylight to save our lives when armed men burst into our village and forced us to leave and seek refuge in another village. When we arrived, we didn’t know where to take shelter, so the three of us set up the tent here. When it rained, we were on our feet, afraid. When it stopped raining we took out all our waterlogged belongings to dry. We really didn’t know where to go. It was hard because there wasn’t even space. To lie down to sleep, we had to fold in four. So, we were overjoyed when we were given an emergency shelter built by Help with the support of ShelterBox. We feel more at ease now.” – Rihanata
In 2021 we have worked again with Help to support more families with tarpaulins, kitchen sets, sleeping mats, blankets, and other essential items, including soap and buckets. Aid distributions are now complete and we’re currently planning for our next project.
Learn more about our response in Burkina Faso: https://www.shelterboxcanada.org/crisis-in-burkina-faso/
