NRC is currently working in Burkina Faso, with staff dedicated to assisting people affected by conflict. Its humanitarian interventions are based on its programming expertise in the Core Competencies of Shelter, Site Management, Education, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Protection from Violence, along with Information Counselling and legal Assistance (ICLA) to vulnerable displaced people.  
Since 2014, Burkina Faso has faced significant challenges, including political instability, escalating insecurity, and economic shocks. Despite these hurdles, the country has maintained modest economic growth, primarily driven by the agriculture and services sectors. In 2024, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger formalized the confederation of Sahelian states, building on the alliance created in 2023; the three countries also decided to leave the ECOWAS, but not the UEMOA.
According to the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP), in 2025 an estimated 5.9 million people in Burkina Faso are projected to need humanitarian assistance, including both IDPs and nearly 57% non-IDPs. Planning figures are based on late-2024 conditions, assuming no major structural changes. Insecurity—marked by IEDs, irregular checkpoints, and convoy attacks—continues to restrict humanitarian access and civilian movement, affecting 39 localities across six regions. 
Between 2016 and 2024, the number of people in need and those targeted for assistance nearly quadrupled. For 2025, 5.9 million people are estimated to be in need, with 3.7 million targeted—25% women, 55% children, 15% persons with disabilities. This reflects a 4.5% decrease from 2024, mainly due to stricter application of the JIAF methodology, which focuses strictly on multisectoral humanitarian needs.
The humanitarian response in Burkina Faso has been undermined by violence targeting aid workers and assets. In 2024 alone, at least 10 incidents affected humanitarian actors, resulting in 2 deaths, 1 injury, 5 abductions/arrests, and the loss of food supplies and vehicles. Despite these challenges, the revitalization of civil-military coordination (CMCORD) and the GTA has supported alternative access strategies and bolstered humanitarian operational capacity.
Consultations for the 2025 HNO reveal that gender, age, disability, social status, and inequality shape the impact of the crisis. Adolescents, girls, women, children, people with disabilities, and the elderly are among the most affected. Notably, 82% of IDPs are women and children, with 38% of the women heading households. Persistent insecurity, restricted humanitarian access, and resource limitations are increasing the risk of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) among affected populations.
In 2025 and beyond NRC expects the overall situation to remain challenging, with contracted humanitarian space, increased demand for bureaucratic and administrative compliance and a growing need for humanitarian and access advocacy, both public and private. This is compounded with significant changes in the funding for the humanitarian aid globally (drastic restructuring of USAID / BHA, many traditional donor countries reducing development and aid budgets as of 2025), which already has an impact on how NRC can resource its response in Burkina Faso.

Shelter and Settlements: NRC is currently focused on expanding its Shelter portfolio in Burkina Faso. In addition to offering temporary shelters equipped with emergency Non-Food Item (NFI) kits, lighting and alternative cooking solutions, for newly displaced families; NRC is expanding its transitional shelter response, its innovative market-based programming and cash response modalities. Additionally, NRC shelter team builds temporary, transitional, and permanent classrooms in close coordination with the NRC education team.
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene: WASH interventions are seamlessly integrated with other Core Competencies to maximize impact and efficiency. NRC provides comprehensive WASH assistance, addressing access to water, sanitation, and hygiene promotion. Water access is facilitated through the construction of boreholes with human-powered pumps, small drinking water supply systems (PEA or AEPS), conversion of hand pump-equipped boreholes into small drinking water supply NRC is also working to strengthen direct solar pumping system as an alternative to prolonged water trucking if needed to besieged areas. 
To achieve its country objectives, NRC is looking for an experienced and dedicated Shelter & Wash Specialist.

 

At NORCAP, we work to better protect and empower people affected by crises and climate change. With expertise in the humanitarian, development and peacebuilding sectors, we collaborate with local, national and international partners on finding solutions to meet the needs of people at risk. NORCAP is part of the Norwegian Refugee Council.