Burkina Faso faces many challenges, including a high poverty rate, with more than 40% of its population living below the national poverty line. Terrorism, political instability and economic uncertainty compound these difficulties. Despite these overwhelming hurdles, foreign aid to Burkina Faso has played a crucial role in alleviating immediate crises and contributing to long-term development.

A Historical Look At Foreign Aid to Burkina Faso

Since independence from France in 1960, Burkina Faso has relied heavily on foreign assistance. In its early years, foreign aid to Burkina Faso focused on developing agricultural infrastructure. Key projects included irrigation and market development improvements, which were vital for an economy still largely dependent on agriculture, contributing 80% of the population’s income.

In the ’90s, international aid priorities shifted toward democratization and poverty reduction. Contributions from entities like the European Union (EU), the World Bank and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) supported key development goals. However, by the 2010s, insurgencies in the Sahel region had disrupted these advancements, displacing millions and deepening the humanitarian crisis.

The Current Crisis: A Multifaceted Emergency

The insecurity situation in Burkina Faso, which escalated in the early 2010s, stems from armed conflict, displacement and economic instability. As of 2024, Burkina Faso has experienced increased violence caused by armed groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS-affiliated organizations. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), targeted attacks on civilians, including worshippers at churches and mosques, have displaced more than 2 million people, including 32,768 children, in the first quarter of 2024 alone.

Terrorism and Displacement

Armed groups have forced families to flee their homes, leaving 2.7 million people in extreme food insecurity. More than one million individuals are trapped in blockaded regions such as Djibo, which is cut off from essential supplies and services. The ongoing violence has disrupted agriculture and livelihoods, further exacerbating the need for foreign aid to Burkina Faso.

Health Care and Education Gaps

The conflict has rendered 426 health facilities nonoperational, depriving more than 4 million people of essential medical care. Vaccination campaigns have reached approximately 3.4 million children, yet gaps remain due to restricted access.

Similarly, education has been severely disrupted, with more than 5,336 schools closed and 823,340 children unable to attend classes. UNICEF has supported the construction of temporary learning spaces, allowing 2,500 displaced children in the Sahel region to resume education while training teachers to manage emergency education needs.

International Humanitarian Response

The international community has mobilized resources to address these crises:

• USAID’s Contributions: USAID has been a vital partner in delivering foreign aid to Burkina Faso. Through its Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), the organization supports food security, nutrition, WASH and shelter programs. Since April 2024, USAID’s BHA has provided $70 million to the World Food Programme (WFP) for emergency food distribution in regions like Centre-Nord and Sahel. Furthermore, In 2024, USAID launched the Burkina Faso Community Health Activity, a five-year program with $50 million in funding to improve health care access in underserved regions.
• UNICEF Nutrition Programs: UNICEF has treated more than 16,015 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Community health workers screened 62,070 children, identifying 1,431 severe cases requiring treatment. Additionally, 337,801 pregnant and lactating women received feeding counseling, while 10,370 children were given micronutrient powders to prevent deficiencies.

A Way Forward: Strengthening Resilience

While foreign aid to Burkina Faso is essential for immediate relief, the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development suggested sustainable development is critical for long-term recovery. These include diversifying the economy from agriculture and mining through investments in renewable energy and manufacturing. Therefore, as foreign aid to Burkina Faso continues to provide critical relief, the international community must focus on closing financial gaps and addressing structural challenges to ensure sustainable recovery.

– Mmanoko Faith Molobetsi

Mmanoko is based in Pretoria, South Africa and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons