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Burkina Faso has been facing a terrorism problem since 2015. This security situation has triggered a humanitarian crisis characterized by large-scale population displacement. As of March 31, 2023, the National Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (CONASUR) recorded More than 2 million internally displaced personsIn the eastern region, there was agreement to host some of the displaced persons and make them their family members. On-site observations on July 22-23, 2024.
Thursday, September 21, 2023. Albert Yonli, pastor of the Fada N’Gourma SIM Evangelical Church, was returning from an evening trip. He saw two women and a young man on a motorcycle parked on the side of the road on National Road 4 (RN 4). The scene was eerie and awkward. Then he decided to stop. Pretending to fiddle with his phone, he walked past the three clearly distressed people, trying to listen in on their conversation. “That’s when I knew it was something very serious,” the gentleman recalled. He invited himself into the discussion.
The young man came to the aid of the two women who had left their village to Kanchari due to insecurity. One of them had wounds from her feet to her hip; the problem was how to get to Fada N’Gourma, 150 km from Kanchari, to seek proper care. “She couldn’t stand up,” said Albert Wynn. The priest took them to the hospital.
Albert Yonli believes that love for one’s neighbor must be demonstrated in such situations.
The injured lady, Tamo Coulidiaty, was widowed three months before the accident. Her husband was killed in a terrorist attack in the village. He was the main breadwinner of the family. As a result, she found herself without financial means and had difficulty finding solutions for her health condition.
Thank you
This Tuesday, July 23, 2024, we met a grateful woman in the 9th district of Fada N’Gourma. “What the priest does is great! I cannot say enough,” testified Tamo Coulidiaty, who had difficulty speaking due to his emotions. For her, the priest is a great support, both financially and socially. “He attends all the appointments at the hospital,” she told us, accompanied by her sister-in-law Topoia.
Tamo Coulidiaty (left) and Tompoa have lived in the house since arriving in Fada N’Gourma.
Currently, Tamo Coulidiaty and Tompoa live under the care of Albert Yonli, who sometimes benefits from the support of some well-meaning people to cope with the situation.
Must feel comfortable
Such solidarity with IDPs abounds in the ‘Yendaburi Municipality.’ In Region 1, retired correspondent Athanasse Ilboudo hosted two girls in similar situations.
At a meeting of the Catholic community to which he belongs, the topic of caring for two girls came up. Évelyne Lompo and her sister were in trouble. They had to vacate the house that the community had rented for them. Athanasse Ilboudo and his wife decided without hesitation to host them. “We have welcomed them since February 2024 and they are there. We try to share life together,” says Athanasse Ilboudo.
“We share everything together,” says Athanasse Ilboudo
The Ilboudos have to get to know their new child. “We don’t know their parents and they themselves told us that they haven’t heard from them in three years,” revealed Athanasse Ilboudo, who has lived in Fada N’Gourma since 1984.
Life now has new routines. “Since they arrived, we have integrated them. We found a home for them. They are the ones who help the madam with the small chores in the kitchen. Our responsibility is to make them feel comfortable,” explains the father.
To hear Evelyne Lompo tell it, this goal has clearly been achieved. “I feel good in this family,” she confessed. She was in second grade then. In 2024, she is in Terminale D.
Evelyne Lompo left Kanchari on August 4, 2022 with her sister.
She was touched by the hospitality of her new parents and hopes that others like the Ilbudos will pledge to support those in the same situation as she and her sister.
“We work together…”
In addition to those who welcome and host IDPs, there are also associations that help them integrate into society. One example is the Association for the Development of Rural Communities (ADCV), which has a project that allows displaced people to farm together with local residents.
A market gardening activity aimed at strengthening social cohesion between indigenous peoples and internally displaced persons. Sanata Sawadogo is from Tanwalbougou, a town about 40 kilometres from Fada N’Gourma. “We have been here for five years. We have been getting along well and without any problems during these years,” the displaced person confessed.
David Diacuna welcomes cohesion with locals
David Diakouna left Matiakoali, about 100 km from Fada N’Gourma, a year ago. He is also a beneficiary of this project. “For the people here, I can say there are no problems, because we work together and eat together,” he told us, before returning to cultivating his land where he produces maize.
We arrived at the end of a meeting with the actors of the aforementioned garden. Landowner Lamonia Thiombiano told us a secret: “There was a Mossi who congratulated the president and his teammates because at the beginning they were very scared because there were several nationalities on the scene. He was happy because there were no problems of origin. »
“All PDIs are integrated”
Dramane Ludovic Thiombiano is the general manager of ADCV. In addition to the association’s activities, he personally takes care of the displaced. “I’ve hosted more than seven families. Some stay in my house for a few days, but after that it’s difficult because you have to give them space,” he says with a hint of pride.
It is noteworthy that in Burkina Faso, internally displaced persons fall into two categories. Some flee after being threatened. Armed men come to call people to leave their villages within a set time. They are lucky enough to leave with some goods. Others, however, are forced to leave after attacks in their localities, where they could have escaped. Luck does not favor everyone in the places where they seek refuge. Some fall into the hands of good will, while others are left to fend for themselves when they cannot turn to social action services or humanitarian organizations.
Crispin Laventicki
Lefaso.com
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