• National humanitarian plan targets 4.47 million vulnerable people in 2026.
• Program is valued at CFA770 billion (about $1.3 billion).
• U.N. seeks $658.5 million to assist 2.7 million people next year.

Burkina Faso’s government and its humanitarian partners reviewed the 2026 National Humanitarian Response Plan (PNRH) during what officials described as a strategic orientation meeting in Ouagadougou. The announcement was made February 17  by the Ministry of Family and Solidarity.

Valued at CFA770 billion (about $1.3 billion), the plan is designed to address the continuing scale of the country’s security and social crisis. The PNRH targets 4.47 million vulnerable people, including more than 2 million host community members, 1.29 million internally displaced persons, more than 900,000 returnees, and nearly 42,000 refugees facing urgent needs in protection, food, health, and education.

For 2026, the humanitarian community aims to mobilize $658.5 million to assist 2.7 million people affected by the crisis, said Maurice Azonnankpo, Acting United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator. He added that the 2026 plan is based on inclusive dialogue and serves as a common framework to save lives, protect vulnerable populations, and ensure access to essential social services nationwide.

Burkina Faso is currently considered the country most affected by terrorism in the world, according to the Global Terrorism Index published by the Institute for Economics and Peace. Between 2019 and 2023, the number of internally displaced persons rose from fewer than 50,000 to about 2.01 million, according to United Nations data. Although attacks declined by 57% in 2024, they resulted in 1,532 deaths.

The prolonged crisis has severely weakened basic social services, particularly health and education systems, prompting authorities to introduce measures aimed at restoring security and strengthening stability. These include the creation of the Patriotic Support Fund and expanded military capacity.

Ingrid Haffiny (Intern)