Landlocked Burkina Faso is one of the world’s poorest countries. Almost half of its 16 million inhabitants live below the poverty line and the country’s child mortality (142 deaths out of every 1000 children born alive) is one of the highest in the world.
Like its neighbours in the Sahel region of west Africa, Burkina Faso is experiencing rising temperatures, making it more vulnerable to drought. Many parts of the country have also suffered devastating floods in recent years.
In 2010, Burkina Faso was one of several countries in the Sahel to be affected by severe food shortages. Two years later, poor rains and inadequate harvests made the situation harder still, with millions left seriously short of food.
Our work
Christian Aid works with communities in Burkina Faso to help them develop farming techniques which are profitable and can withstand the difficult conditions in the region.
Burkina Faso is in the midst of a food crisis and Christian Aid has been working through local partner organisations to provide food assistance to those in greatest need, including treatment for malnourished children. We have also introduced techniques to help communities cope better with droughts in the long term.
Our partners
• ATAD provides emergency food assistance to communities and helps them move from emergency to long-term development. It has introduced activities aimed at improving resilience to drought, including seed distribution and soil recuperation.
• ODE provides emergency food assistance, delivering cereals and nutrition kits and helping communities manage their cattle as effectively as possible.
What you can do
• Help us continue our work in Burkina Faso by donating to our West Africa food crisis appeal.
• Help us eradicate poverty and injustice by taking action.
Further content
• Keeping one eye on the future: Bintu’s story - how families are still trying to build a future.
• A podcast reflection Christian Aid’s Amanda Farrant reports from northern Burkina Faso.
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