Terrorism Creates Crisis in Burkina Faso

Jeff Johnson, the President of International Needs USA, reflects on his recent trip to Burkina Faso in early February of 2024. The US State Department has given Burkina a Level 4 Do Not Travel Advisory and advises against all travel there as the security situation remains volatile after deteriorating significantly following the military coup on 30 September 2022. Risk of Terrorism, Kidnapping, and now a Dengue fever outbreak posed the most significant threats.

Security Situation in Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is currently suffering from its worst terrorist crisis since International Needs started working with them. Islamist terrorists are murdering people in villages and churches who are going about their daily business in rural areas. Those who escape flee to the city of Bobo to find protection provided by government forces. The violence has been made worse by continued political trouble in Burkina with two coups d’etat in 2022. The Burkina military regime is disconnecting from French and Western involvement and is now embracing Russian military operatives interested in the precious metals that Burkina has in rich supply.

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IN Responds to the Crisis

The IN Burkina team has found itself at the heart of this growing emergency. The team led by Jean Kone is faced with a humanitarian crisis presented by over 400,000 thousand displaced people flowing into the city of Bobo that has put pressure on the INBF ministries. Our INBF team is being asked to provide emergency assistance to displaced groups, find 300 more places in the school for displaced children, and respond to the increasing volume of services demanded at the Medical Center which has seen a 60% rise in traffic from displaced and traumatized people flowing into the city of Bobo.

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Jeff and the team also visited the ministry projects including the medical center, school, and compassion work with groups of displaced people. Following each visit, plans and strategies rooted in prayer were discussed, to strengthen the Burkina team in their response to the situation they are facing. These were power times says Jeff. A sense of hope and optimism increased. Jeff went on to share how the Scripture found in John 1:4-5 seemed so relevant and true:

In him (Jesus) was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Jeff continued, “While the stories we heard were often horrific, and things we witnessed demonstrated the evil and darkness of violence and oppression; the work of Jean, his family, and his team was inspiring! Their love, dedication, and commitment are the power, light, and testimony driving out that darkness."

Living Under A Tree

Jeff met many individuals who shared their personal stories with him. One of these stories was told by a pastor in a village attacked by the terrorist forces. “The village was burned and the pastor lost most of his congregation, they were murdered as they sought refuge in the church. This included his son.” Yet this pastor managed to save 26 members of his congregation and began the 150-mile trek to the safety of Bobo. Picking up people along the journey who were also fleeing acts of violence in other villages, this pastor arrived in Bobo with almost 300 individuals. As Jeff states, “They are all living with no shelter… literally under a tree.” It is at this tree where the IN team mobilizes emergency assistance and provides spiritual support every Sunday afternoon.

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Jeff’s colleague on the trip (Danny Morris, IN UK) describes a particular snapshot of three women he met who were found sleeping outside the International Needs Medical Center in Bobo. “These three women all fled after their husbands and children were attacked. They ran so hard that one lady is now unable to walk properly.”

The three ladies who were found sleeping outside the medical center (pictured second, fourth, and fifth)

Jeff along with his colleagues from the IN Network, Danny, and Edmond are coordinating closely with Jean and his team in Burkina. The IN Burkina team remains committed to being the Light of Christ chasing the darkness in Burkina. Plans are in the works for emergency assistance for the displaced individuals fleeing into Bobo, support and capacity building within the medical, center, providing educational assistance for 300 displaced children at the school, and bringing specialized trauma training to the IN Burkina Faso team to help them meet the emotional and spiritual needs of the people they find themselves serving daily.

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And, as Jeff was quick to point out. “Jean is still in contact with the Burkina Military making plans to continue his evangelistic crusades taking place right in the heat of the violent areas of Burkina.” Yet again, more light to chase the darkness.

If you would like to see more about the programs and impact happening in Burkina Faso, you can check out this story here.