Burkina Faso has emerged as the world's most neglected displacement crisis, according to the annual report released by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) on June 1st. The report highlights the dire situation in the country, which is compounded by escalating conflict and acute food insecurity. In a separate report published on May 29th, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) elevated Burkina Faso, along with Mali, to the highest concern levels in terms of hunger hotspots and acute food insecurity.

The movement of people and goods within Burkina Faso continues to be severely restricted, exacerbating the challenges faced by affected populations. Additionally, humanitarian access to various areas is shrinking, making it increasingly difficult for aid organizations to reach those in need.

Conflict remains a major driver of the multisectoral needs in Burkina Faso. The latest Cadre Harmonisé, a framework for analyzing acute food insecurity, reveals that approximately 42,000 people in the country are currently experiencing a catastrophic level of food insecurity, bordering on famine, as the 2023 lean season begins. Moreover, as the rainy season approaches, the shelter cluster reports that 95% of the needs for shelters and 83% of the needs for Non-Food Items (NFI) remain unmet.

The situation is exacerbated by a severe lack of funding for the humanitarian response. As of now, only 19% of the required funding needs have been met, according to the Financial Tracking Service (FTS) of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA).

The combination of conflict, acute food insecurity, restricted movement, and limited humanitarian access paints a grim picture for the people of Burkina Faso. Urgent international attention and increased support are necessary to alleviate the suffering of those affected by this neglected displacement crisis.