On 5 June an attack by a non-state armed group in Solhan, Burkina Faso, provoked the death of more than 130 civilians, including a high number of children, according to national authorities. After the attack, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) mobilized humanitarian assistance in support of the Government and local authorities in the Sebba area, a few miles from the affected village.
In recent months, attacks and human rights violations against civilian populations have increased in Burkina Faso. According to the OCHA Services’ research, in June alone 178 civilians were killed, including many children. The country is now experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. According to UNICEF data, there are currently more than 1.2 million internally displaced people, 61 per cent of them are children, a number that has increased since 2019. The same source reports that more than 300,000 children are currently out of school due to the closure of 2,244 schools; approximately 10 per cent of the country's schools; in addition, around 800,000 people do not have access to medical care due to the closure of health centres.
During these months, UNICEF and its partners have accelerated emergency assistance to the most vulnerable families. In coordination with the Government of Burkina Faso, United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations, this intervention consisted in providing material support (such as hygiene kits, food and water) through which supporting the most in-need people. According to UNICEF, more than 13,000 displaced persons, including over 9,000 children, will receive 2,000 mosquito nets, 500 hygiene and dignity kits, and soap in order to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases during the rainy season and to maintain good hygiene. Additionally, 1,000 tarpaulins were distributed among the displaced population to provide families with shelter and help children pass their end-of-year exams.
UNICEF aims at keeping the promise made in the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, that is the protection of every child from the consequences of armed conflict, other disasters or emergencies. The UN agency has urged to redouble the efforts to protect them in Burkina Faso.
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Author: Jasmina Saric; Editor: Gianpaolo Mascaro