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For the second consecutive year, Burkina Faso has been labeled as the most disregarded displacement crisis globally, as stated by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).
According to the NRC's latest annual report, released on Monday, Burkina Faso witnessed an alarming surge with 707,000 new displacements in 2023, propelled by escalating violence and a worsening humanitarian situation.
The report highlighted that nine out of the ten most overlooked crises, as outlined, were situated in Africa. Cameroon, Central African Republic, Mali, and Niger followed Burkina Faso in the list.
In a press release on Monday, the NRC outlined its criteria for identifying neglected displacement crises, which include insufficient humanitarian funding, lack of media coverage, and insufficient international political and diplomatic efforts relative to the scale of need.
The report further emphasized that 2023 experienced a record-breaking deficit in aid budgets, reaching approximately $32 billion, leaving over half of the global humanitarian needs unaddressed.
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The Secretary-General of NRC, Jan Egeland, expressed concern, stating that the disregard for displaced individuals has become commonplace, with insufficient attention from both local and international stakeholders. He called for a renewed global commitment to solidarity and addressing the most urgent needs.
Media coverage in Burkina Faso dwindled as access became increasingly challenging for journalists and humanitarian organizations. The country, currently under military rule following a coup in July 2022, has prioritized security due to ongoing attacks.
However, a recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) alleged that the military's actions resulted in the deaths of over 200 civilians, potentially constituting war crimes, a claim refuted by the Burkina Faso government.
In response to these allegations, the government temporarily suspended broadcasting and access to certain Western news organizations' websites.
Additionally, the report highlighted the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as one of the most neglected crises for the eighth consecutive year, with millions displaced and resorting to negative coping mechanisms due to lack of aid.
Sudan also featured in the report due to a protracted conflict resulting in significant displacement and humanitarian needs, yet receiving inadequate attention.
The situation in Burkina Faso worsened in 2023, marked by a doubling of violence-related deaths and recurrent attacks attributed to various armed groups.
Humanitarian access became increasingly challenging, with dangerous roads and costly air services hindering assistance delivery.
Looking ahead to 2024, the NRC predicts that millions in Burkina Faso will require humanitarian aid, with a significant portion remaining internally displaced.
The report underscores the interconnected nature of neglected crises, emphasizing the ripple effects across borders and the potential for broader regional impacts, including tension between refugees and host communities over limited resources.
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