Burkina Faso Regional Program Bi-Weekly Report October 10-23, 2020

Since 2016, terrorist threats and attacks have disrupted agricultural production and commercial activities in the Nord region, particularly affecting women's income-generating activities such as agriculture, livestock husbandry, and small-scale market gardening. To strengthen women's production and marketing capacities, BFRP partnered with a local community development organization to train 47 women in 2019. Beneficiaries learned techniques to diversify and make high-quality products, expand their reach into new markets, and earn more income. Following the trainings, participants reported an increase in their daily income, ranging from XOF 5,000 to 10,000, compared to a maximum of XOF 2,000 before benefiting from the training. To increase the women's production capacity and improve the system of marketing products in local markets, BFRP collaborated with another association to provide beneficiaries with a multi-function mill, tricycles, and barrels to help transport their products to local markets quickly and under more hygienic conditions. In addition to training women, BFRP also provided first responder training for community members in the Sahel region. Terrorist attacks and threats against health workers led to the closure of several health centers in remote areas and provoked the relocation of health workers to urban centers. To improve the population's access to primary health care in emergency situations, BFRP worked with local associations to train 108 community-based health workers and volunteers, including 30 women. Participants received training on common wounds resulting from terrorist attacks and how to react to critical security incidents, as well as simulations, practice, role-play, and case studies to ensure they can respond appropriately depending on the situation. Community-based health workers and volunteers also received a total of 163 first aid kits to use when assisting injured community members. A similar activity was planned for the Nord region in coming weeks. Furthermore, BFRP supported the first responder training of 90 community-based health workers and volunteers, including 23 women from across the Est region, who also received a total of 273 first aid kits to improve their assistance to communities. In the Est region, BFRP is launching activities to inform and educate youth and women about peaceful election processes and encouraging them to participate by voting. The region experienced many political problems related to terrorist attacks, organized crime, and land disputes, which contributed to creating tensions and breaking down social cohesion within populations. Women and youth constitute the largest segment of the population in Burkina Faso, and their involvement and effective participation in future elections will contribute to establishing a more stable and democratic society.