Challenges and Solutions to the Sustainability of Humanitarian Activities in Burkina Faso

The Sahel region faces several hazards that necessitate humanitarian action, including armed conflict, destabilized governments, violent extremism and climate change. The environment shaped by these elements in the region presents barriers to sustainable, adequate and efficient humanitarian activities. In the context of Burkina Faso, humanitarian relief services conducted by the government and civil society organizations (CSOs) alike face these challenges and more, including barriers to financial stability, capacity building, and security of land resources. Challenges associated with financial stability in Burkina Faso are linked to issues in the international humanitarian funding structure and over-prioritization of select needs. Difficulties in capacity building while linked to financial instability, also involves under-recognition leading to a limitation in networking opportunities. Securing land resources for use in Burkina Faso has had varying results due to differences in resource management design, implementation and upkeep. This chapter highlights humanitarian activities in Burkina Faso led by both the government and CSOs to alleviate conditions brought on by regional and country-specific issues and what barriers they are working against. Solutions offered by scholars are discussed and dissected for their feasibility in strengthening the continuity of humanitarian operations in Burkina Faso. Additional context-informed solutions are presented; the results call for International non-governmental organizations (INGOs) to re-evaluate their role in humanitarian activities. Upon reviewal, Burkina Faso’s government needs to expand infrastructure development activities to address previously failed projects. Increased partnership with CSO in humanitarian activities is necessary and recognition of the progress made due to their involvement should not be understated.