Integral brings together Members working in Neglected Crisis countries to share information, discuss issues and to support one another – countries such as the DRC, Afghanistan, Yemen, Madagascar and Burkina Faso. As a result of regular discussions, and after consulting local Partners, the Burkina Faso group made plans to host a Humanitarian Forum in Burkina Faso. Here is an update about that Forum …
Attendees at the Forum in Ouagadougou, May 2025
In May 2025, four Integral Members – SEL France, Tearfund Belgium, Tearfund (UK) and ZOA (The Netherlands) brought 21 local Christian organisations together to meet for the first time. The aim of the Forum was to strengthen capacity to respond to humanitarian crises in Burkina Faso, learn from one another, share expertise and explore opportunities for future coordination and support.
Over two days, participants spent time getting to know one another, mapping the work they are already doing, sharing their experience and expertise and discussing future collaboration. They considered topics relevant to their current work including moving from emergency response to rehabilitation, supporting victims of trauma, the role of the church in times of crisis and working with children and young people.
Forty-six people took part in the Forum and participant feedback from local NGOs and Partner organisations was particularly encouraging. Here are some examples:
Pastor Yonli, Deputy director of SIM, shared, “I didn’t know there were so many active Christian organisations. It’s very enriching. “
Pastor Alphonse, president of DEDRAS (Benin) and of the Baptist churches in Benin said, “Thank you for organising this forum. Before, our view was limited. This has opened our eyes, broadened our perspective, and expanded our vision.”
Etienne Pitroipa, president of 3INOG, said “What I take away from these two days is a shared vision of creating a network to respond to calls for projects as a consortium.”
Burkina Faso is facing one of the world’s most neglected humanitarian crises. Many communities, particularly those in hard-to-reach areas, lack access to essential services such as food, water, health care, and education. Continued insecurity has disrupted farming and trade, closed health facilities and made access to many areas by road unsafe. An estimated 2.7 million people face severe food insecurity across the country. (Source: OCHA)
Marie Mantero, from SEL France said, “It was a very rewarding meeting … It brought together a number of Burkinabe Christian NGOs and, I hope, created lasting relationships. The interest of the participants and their desire to strengthen their capacities were obvious. The aim now is for them to be able to put into action the decisions taken at the end of the meeting: to create a network of Christian NGOs to tackle the crisis they face.”
Michel Sawadogo from Tearfund (UK) said, “One of the objectives of the Forum was to bring Christian NGOs together to get to know one another and collaborate as much as possible. This will increase their capacity to respond better to the humanitarian crisis resulting from the invasion of the country. The Forum definitely built awareness that there are many similar organisations that could support one another better in spite of the fact they are geographically spread out.”
Michel continues, “My dream for 2026 is to see them together, joining hands, leveraging the strength of their unity to speak strongly and loudly to funding organisations and duty bearers so that a robust response can be provided to those most in need and to populations without hope in remote areas of Burkina Faso.”