Burkina Faso’s Darkest Day: Unveiling the Brutal Attack and Urgent Humanitarian Crisis

On August 24, 2024, Burkina Faso endured one of its darkest days as the town of Barsalogho in the northern part of the country was brutally attacked by armed assailants, including bandits and terrorist. For eight harrowing hours, the attackers indiscriminately opened fire on the town’s inhabitants, leaving hundreds dead, including women and children. The victims, who had been digging a trench around their village as a defense against such threats, were mercilessly gunned down alongside soldiers who were also targeted.

A woman who survived the attack described the horror “we went out with carts to collect the bodies of my older brothers,” said the 38-year-old woman, who managed to escape with her toddler. “We spent a long time going through bodies piled up under trees.“[1]

This massacre starkly reveals the growing insecurity in Burkina Faso, where nearly half of the country remains outside government control. The situation has become increasingly dire, with a significant portion of the population vulnerable to the ongoing violence perpetrated by terrorist groups.

In the wake of the attack, Bishop Théophile Nare called for a day of mourning on August 28 to honor the victims. The tragedy has prompted a national outpouring of grief and a renewed call for peace in a region that has suffered immensely from such violence. Expressing solidarity with the people of Burkina Faso, Bishop Nicolas Brouwet wrote, “We are at a loss for words to express our dismay and deep sadness. We stand at your side, yours and that of all the people of Burkina Faso.”[2]

On Sunday, Pope Francis also condemned the violence in Burkina Faso, expressing deep sorrow over the attack in Barsalogho. In extending his condolences to the families of the victims, the Pope stated, “I condemn these horrific acts against human life and stand in solidarity with the people of Burkina Faso.”[3]

Burkina Faso has seen a rise in extremist violence in recent years, with attacks by terrorist groups causing fear and devastation. The August 24 incident is part of a broader conflict that has destabilized the region, creating disastrous humanitarian challenges. There are around 2 million internally displaced people in the country. The ongoing conflict has shut down one in four schools, displacing over one million children and 31,000 educators. This crisis leaves children vulnerable to violence, exploitation, and forced recruitment into armed groups. The need for safe, accessible learning environments and trauma care has never been more critical.

How are we helping Burkina Faso heal?

1. Create Safe Learning Spaces: By launching temporary learning spaces, we not only ensure safety but also deliver vocational training and funding support to youth, offering them a pathway to a brighter future.
2. Offer Healing and Hope: Access to psychosocial care is enabled, allowing children traumatized by conflict to engage in individual or group counseling sessions and therapeutic activities, helping them to recover and rebuild their lives.
3. Empower Educators: Teachers receive training in the Safe School approach, emergency protocols, and community-led security, including landmine safety. This training empowers educators to protect and guide their students through the crisis.
4. Keep Learning Accessible: When schools are attacked and shut down, we are on the ground ensuring education reaches children wherever they are, even far from home. The Education by Radio program broadcasts lessons guided by local facilitators, keeping learning alive and accessible.

As this tragic situation continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder to remain mindful of the ongoing crisis and the critical role we all play in providing humanitarian assistance during times of great need. We are committed to securing a child’s education amidst chaos, offering not just education but also sanctuaries for learning and healing in conflict-affected Burkina Faso.

[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/i-saw-horrible-things-burkina-faso-massacre-survivor-describes-bloodshed-2024-08-30/

[2] https://fsspx.news/en/news/burkina-faso-terrorists-massacre-hundreds-people-47183

[3] https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-09/pope-francis-angelus-appeals-prayer-palestine-israel-burkinafaso.html

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