Burkina Faso: Food shortages and extremism present humanitarian risks

Event

Food shortages and heightened levels of extremist violence in Burkina Faso have raised concerns of a potential upcoming humanitarian crisis. Almost 1 million people are estimated to need food aid in the near-term; 10 percent of the population in the northern parts of the country suffer from acute malnutrition. Exacerbating such risks is a recent uptick in extremist violence also focused in the north. International Crisis Group claimed earlier in March that Ansarul Islam attacks have not only been carried out with greater frequency in recent months, but also with greater lethality, displacing thousands and closing schools amid rampant regional insecurity.

Context

Terrorism has become an increasingly serious security threat in Burkina Faso, especially in the volatile Sahel region. Attacks are usually attributed to Ansarul Islam and other groups affiliated with Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Meanwhile, rates of criminal violence - much of which is interlinked with terrorist activity - have also recently increased.

Advice

Several Western governments advise against all travel to areas of the northern Sahel region, particularly areas within 40 km (25 mi) of the Malian border. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to traveling to such areas.

More generally, individuals across the country are advised to avoid public events and places frequented by Westerners due to the latent risk of terrorist activity and to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities.