Burkina Faso (MNN) — Burkina Faso is already in a dire humanitarian situation. But a recent surge of attacks by non-State armed groups is threatening to make things worse.
More refugees are spilling over the border from Burkina Faso into Niger as they escape the rising violence from jihadist-linked insurgents, according to the UNHCR.
Greg Yoder with Christian World Outreach (CWO) says, “The extremist groups have been coming into the country, trying to take over from the north and the east, from what our understanding is.”
Humanitarian and ministry efforts in Burkina Faso are feeling the impact of deteriorating security.
One of CWO’s critical initiatives, a mobile clinic that provides medical care to remote villages, has been suspended due to safety concerns.
“It’s too dangerous,” Yoder says, emphasizing the heightened risk to their staff and volunteers. “But I have heard that the military has started to take some mobile clinics to some of the areas that are being attacked through these extremists.”
Village of Opportunity graduation in Burkina Faso 2023. (Photo courtesy of Christian World Outreach)
The violence has also impacted CWO’s educational programs, particularly the Village of Opportunity, a boarding school for young women. Yoder expressed concern about the potential drop in student attendance this fall, as travel restrictions may prevent many from reaching the school.
Despite the challenges, CWO remains committed to its Gospel mission. “People are going to be searching for answers and in ways that only God can answer.”
Yoder says, “We haven’t had any direct impact with any of our staff. But it’s always a concern of ours to know that they are safe and that they take care of themselves and be careful as they do travel out.
“They have a heart for ministry, and they’re not going to let this stop them from sharing the Gospel. So we just ask people to pray for our staff that they have wisdom when they can go out, when they should go out, and for their safety as they do.”
Learn more about CWO’s ministry here.
Header photo of children in Burkina Faso, courtesy of Pixabay.
