Internally displaced people (IDPs) affected by the ongoing crisis are currently largely hosted in collective centres or community settlements in host communities or in IDP reception sites that have been provided by the government. To support the Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) response, IOM plans to strengthen the capacities of government and humanitarian actors in-site management, and deploy mobile teams to coordinate multi-sectoral services, in partnership with displaced communities. In addition, mechanisms for governance and community engagement (including complaints and feedbacks mechanisms) will be set up, along with systems for identifying and referring gaps in assistance.

IOM is seeking to scale-up its Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) to assist the government in collecting accurate, up-to-date and actionable data on the rapidly changing displacement context, to complement the government-led registration process. The objective is to provide CONASUR and humanitarian partners with complete information, collected through a concerted, rigorous and systematic methodology on displaced persons and their needs in the five regions in crisis, in order to support the coordination of the humanitarian response.

Based on its global approach as described in its Community-Based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergencies and Displacement manual, IOM will conduct mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) activities, comprising of the deployment of protection teams to deliver psychosocial support services aimed at reinforcing the well-being of affected populations through sensitisations, mediations, socio-cultural activities, counselling, psychological first aid and referrals to specialized services (under the Protection Cluster). IOM will also provide specialised psychiatric care to people with mental disorders, strengthen the capacities of state health workers and care structures and promote the psychosocial well-being of health workers (under the Health Cluster).

As part of its Protection in Humanitarian Action approach, which aligns with the key principles from IASC and the centrality of protection, IOM will conduct protection activities to contribute to fulfilling the needs and upholding the rights of displaced and affected populations. Based on identified needs and its global expertise, IOM proposes to carry out activities to combat trafficking in persons in crisis. This will include: i) prevention campaigns aimed at potential victims, among them the youth, women and vulnerable IDPs; ii) capacity building for government and humanitarian actors that will include trainings and the provision of technical support, and the identification of available services, gaps and actors involved to support the establishment of a referral system for the assistance to victims in partnership with the Burkinabé authorities. In addition, IOM is planning to engage in gender-based violence (GBV) prevention activities to bring a positive shift in attitudes, norms and structures, to promote a safer environment and the empowerment of women, notably through the deployment of mobile teams that will also provide life-saving services for women and girls and raise awareness on GBV and related services available. IOM will ensure the consented and adequate referral of GBV survivors. In addition, IOM will distribute dignity kits to the most vulnerable women and girls. IOM will also ensure that protection is mainstreamed throughout all its programmes.

IOM plans to assist affected and displaced households with shelters and non-food items (NFIs) through the distribution of complete and standard NFI kits, the distribution of emergency shelter kits and the provision of support to their construction. IOM will also contribute to improving living conditions in reception sites through site planning and set-up activities, improving basic infrastructure and technical support to government and humanitarian partners. All these activities will be carried out in close collaboration with CONASUR and include communities in order to strengthen accountability towards the affected populations and to promote the inclusion of the most vulnerable persons.

Large portions of Burkina Faso’s territory remain out of the Government’s reach, making it particularly challenging to efficiently implement the country’s overall strategy to reinforce community cohesion, which would stem the spread of violence that leads to forced population movements. IOM’s response seeks to contribute to the consolidation of social cohesion through the prevention and sustainable resolution of community conflicts. It is crucial to quickly strengthen the hold of civil authorities over regions where local populations currently feel abandoned by the central Government. IOM will also seek to contribute to peacebuilding to support the transitioning of communities out of conflict, notably through community-based conflict management, providing support to community reconciliation processes and economic transformation intended to mitigate the drivers of conflict. 

In support of the Government of Burkina Faso, and in order to re-establish stability, prevent further forced migration and lay the groundwork for durable solutions, IOM plans to support the restoration of basic rights and essential services for vulnerable people, notably through reinforced access to economic opportunities and the rebuilding of trust among communities as part of community stabilisation efforts. The current level of insecurity has significantly reduced access to livelihoods for already-vulnerable displaced populations and persons affected by the ongoing crisis. To restore and/or achieve self-sufficiency among those most in need, IOM plans to provide livestock and kits for rainfed agriculture and vegetable gardening and provide related technical training to beneficiaries. These activities would be coupled with social cohesion initiatives, aimed at supporting at-risk communities and provide for their most pressing needs. Specific activities aiming to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable youth would include vocational training, and distribution of grants to support young people with income-generating activities while building their sense of purpose through sensitisation activities and peer-to-peer dialogue.