Burkina Faso Regional Program BI-WEEKLY REPORT Mar. 28-April 10, 2020

Water Point Repairs for Cohesion is a key initiative aimed at addressing tensions between host populations and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the communes closest to the regional capital. The arrival of large numbers of IDPs fleeing conflict in northern Sahel has increased pressure for scarce resources, notably water. In an effort to deescalate these frictions, BFRP worked with the commune's mayor to identify and rehabilitate five previously broken water points to increase water access for the entire community. A water management committee, consisting of members representing both host and IDP communities, was put in place for each water point to oversee the overall usage and ensure equal access for all. BFRP provided each committee with a three-day training on their roles and responsibilities in ensuring proper management of these water points. Adapt Local Businesses for Resilience is another key initiative implemented by BFRP. Even before the arrival of COVID-19 restrictions, life has been difficult in the region due to limited market access and travel on main roads. VEO presence and the government's 2018 state of emergency restrictions have eroded the commerce and trade that much of the area depended on for their economic well-being. BFRP facilitated an open and honest conversation on economic workarounds by enlisting a local entrepreneur network to organize a workshop with participation of local merchants, local and national level donors, and local authorities. The workshop identified several adaptive measures, including bulk purchase orders, establishing a network of local entrepreneurs connected to larger vendors, and promoting the use of mobile payment systems. The region has experienced several attacks across multiple regions, and the COVID-19 pandemic has been placed at the top of national priorities to the detriment of security issues. Counter-terrorism operations were reportedly put on hold, leaving the door open for armed groups to increase their presence. The surge in security incidents suggests that extremist organizations and armed groups are reorganized and could lead to a significant increase in terrorist activities. Despite the COVID-19 restrictive measures adopted by the government, the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases is still on the rise, with 484 cases and 27 deaths reported. The government has announced a series of assistance measures to mitigate the impact of the restrictive measures, including reduced water and electricity bills for low-income households, free access to water at any public water point, provision of food to vulnerable populations, and financial support to affected businesses. Town criers, community members who volunteer to share information on important issues or events in their communities, have been used by BFRP as a means to keep communities engaged from a safe distance and in areas with limited media coverage. A component of the recently rehabilitated water points was to gather the local population, have local officials open the points to the public, and discuss the dangers of violent extremist activities. To avoid large crowds in light of COVID-19, BFRP engaged the town crier to walk the commune's streets and engage with locals, from a safe distance and through a megaphone, on the importance of hygiene and cleanliness, and how best to reduce tensions around the water points. BFRP will continue the use of town criers as a means to keep communities engaged from a safe distance and in areas with limited media coverage.