The misery of the refugees
Time and again, Islamist fighters attack villages, especially in the east of the country. Of the country's 20 million inhabitants, more than two million are on the run from terror and violence, among them many children. They are fleeing from attacks, looting and destruction.
Numerous emergency shelters have been set up around the Christian hospital in Piéla in eastern Burkina Faso. There, the people, most of whom have nothing but the clothes on their backs, are safe from the attacks. But they lack food, basic medical care, housing and farmland. This situation continues and women and children suffer the most.
Emergency medical aid
Together with our ecumenical partner organisation Tin Naabi, DIFÄM supports the care of pregnant women and infants at the medical centre of the Protestant Church in Piéla:
- The maternity ward is supplied with materials and medicines. Thus, displaced women can be attended to free of charge in prenatal care, childbirth and postnatal care.
- Malnourished infants receive therapeutic care.
- People are informed about hygiene and nutrition.
Self-sufficiency through farming and livestock breeding
Since the attacks are unlikely to end, many families are staying put in the relatively safe town of Piéla and are building up a new livelihood there so that they can live independently and without help.
Just as they are used to from living in their villages, the refugees want to live on home-grown vegetables in their new home. We support this initiative, which provides healthy food and helps the families to become economically self-sufficient. While the land is provided by the communities, DIFÄM facilitates training on gardening, farming and sheep breeding.
