AGP Executive Report

Sahel Displacement: Nearly four million people have been displaced across Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, more than double the 2020 figure. UNHCR cites attacks on civilians, climate shocks and funding shortages as worsening the crisis and eroding livelihoods. Infant Health: A study of 1,543 breast-milk samples, including samples from Burkina Faso, identified seven candidate molecules linked to maternal nutrition and infant growth. Researchers say the findings could shed light on how milk composition relates to babies’ development. Yellow Fever: Ghana is running a five-day vaccination campaign in three Upper West districts near Burkina Faso after confirmed cases and unexplained deaths raised concern. The campaign targets eligible residents aged nine months to 60 years. Disability and Wellbeing: In Bobo-Dioulasso, deaf and hard-of-hearing dancers use vibrations, touch and visual cues to follow music. The locally developed Vibra-Signe method has helped performers build skills and social connections.

Maternal and Infant Health: A study of 1,543 breast-milk samples, including samples from Burkina Faso, identified seven candidate molecules linked to maternal nutrition, infant growth and milk production. The findings offer new clues about how mothers’ health may shape early development. Disability and Wellbeing: In Bobo-Dioulasso, deaf and hard-of-hearing dancers use Vibra-Signe to follow music through floor vibrations, touch and visual cues—an approach that supports inclusion and social connection. Clean Water: The Sisters of the Visitation say donations will help build wells in communities in Burkina Faso and neighboring countries, alongside support for vulnerable girls and women. Sahel Hunger and Displacement: Conflict and climate pressures are worsening the humanitarian crisis. The World Food Programme says the number of people at risk of starvation across the Sahel is ten times higher than in 2019, while displacement has risen 400%, threatening nutrition and access to care.

Disability & Wellbeing: In Bobo-Dioulasso, deaf and non-verbal dancers use Vibra-Signe—floor vibrations, touch and visual cues—to follow music. The Fientan company says the approach helps dancers build confidence and social skills, despite limited support. Health Funding: Burkina Faso’s finance minister joined African counterparts calling for investment in health, education and clean water, warning that repeated shocks make resilience alone insufficient. Maternal & Infant Health: A study of 1,543 breast-milk samples, including a Burkina Faso cohort, identified seven candidate molecules associated with maternal nutrition, infant growth and milk production. Food Security: WFP warns hunger in the five Sahel countries is expected to affect 10.5 million people, with more than a million near starvation; displacement has also surged amid conflict, climate pressures and rising costs.

Maternal and Infant Health: A study of 1,543 breast-milk samples from Canada, Pakistan and Burkina Faso identified seven molecules linked to mothers’ nutritional status, infant growth and milk production. The findings could shed light on how maternal health shapes babies’ development. Food Security: The World Food Programme warns hunger and displacement are surging across the Sahel, putting millions at risk. Conflict, climate pressures and rising costs are making basic meals harder to afford. Women’s Safety and Clean Water: A mission appeal is supporting work in Burkina Faso, Benin and Togo to train 60 girls and women, expand shelter for girls at risk of forced marriage or exploitation, and build wells in underserved villages.

Maternal and Infant Health: A study of 1,543 breast-milk samples from Canada, Pakistan and Burkina Faso identified seven candidate molecules linked to mothers’ nutrition, infant growth and milk production. Researchers say the findings could help explain how maternal health shapes babies’ development. Disease Prevention: Ghana began a five-day yellow fever vaccination campaign in three Upper West districts near Burkina Faso after confirmed cases and unexplained deaths. The drive targets people aged nine months to 60. Food Security: The World Food Programme warns that hunger in the Sahel has surged, with 10.5 million people expected to face hunger and more than a million near starvation across five countries, including Burkina Faso. Conflict and climate pressures are also driving displacement and disrupting access to basic services. Food Supply: Burkina Faso’s halt on millet, maize and sorghum flour exports raises concerns about food availability and nutrition at home, though the reported coverage offered few details on its likely effects.

HIV and Rights: A Human Rights Watch report says Senegal’s crackdown on LGBTQ+ people has included forced HIV testing and arrests; at least 84 people face charges of “voluntary HIV transmission” based solely on their HIV status. Regional Displacement: Mali is hosting more than 322,000 refugees and asylum seekers, alongside 414,524 internally displaced people. The rising numbers underscore pressure on humanitarian services across borders, including for people fleeing Burkina Faso. Yellow Fever: Ghana began a five-day vaccination campaign in three Upper West districts after confirmed cases and unexplained deaths in the Sissala area, near Burkina Faso’s border. The drive targets eligible residents aged 9 months to 60 years. Food Security: The World Food Programme warns that hunger across the Sahel has risen sharply, with 10.5 million people expected to face hunger in Burkina Faso and four neighboring countries, including more than a million at risk of starvation.

Regional Displacement: Mali hosted 322,584 refugees and asylum seekers by late September, while more than four million people are displaced across Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger—deepening pressure on already strained humanitarian services. Yellow Fever: Ghana began a five-day vaccination drive on October 14 in three Upper West districts near Burkina Faso, targeting people aged nine months to 60 after confirmed cases and reports of unexplained deaths. Food Security: The WFP warns 10.5 million people face hunger across five Sahel countries. Burkina Faso has also halted exports of millet, maize and sorghum flour to protect domestic supply, though the ban alone does not guarantee lower prices or better access.

Yellow Fever: Ghana will run a five-day vaccination campaign from October 14 in Sissala East, Sissala West and Wa West after confirmed cases and reports of unexplained deaths near the Burkina Faso border. The drive targets eligible residents aged nine months to 60. Sahel Food Crisis: Hunger is expected to affect 10.5 million people across Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger, with more than a million at risk of starvation, while displacement in the region has risen sharply. Food Security: Burkina Faso has halted exports of millet, maize and sorghum flour and their derivatives until further notice, aiming to protect domestic supplies; the ban alone may not ensure lower prices or better access.

Sahel Hunger Crisis: WFP warns that 10.5 million people across Burkina Faso and four neighboring Sahel countries face hunger this year, with more than a million near starvation. Conflict, drought and rising costs are worsening the emergency as displacement surges. Food Supply: Burkina Faso has halted exports of millet, maize and sorghum flour to protect domestic supplies. The ban may keep more food in the country, but prices and access will depend on stocks and distribution. Support for Displaced Families: A UNICEF- and UNHCR-backed project in Ghana has improved a kindergarten serving families who fled conflict in Burkina Faso, with a borehole, washrooms and other facilities; the wider project also includes health, water and sanitation support. Regional Displacement: UNHCR says nearly four million people have been uprooted in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger—almost double the 2020 figure—amid attacks, climate shocks and humanitarian funding shortages.

Displacement and Health Access: Nearly 4 million people have been uprooted across Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, with conflict and climate shocks worsening pressure on already weak public services and limiting displaced families’ access to care. Food Security: Burkina Faso has halted exports of millet, maize and sorghum flour and related products to protect domestic supply. The ban may keep more food in the country, but does not guarantee lower prices or better access for households. Health Investment: The government’s proposed 2027 budget includes 20 municipal health centres, 20 maternity units, four operating theatres at the Halassane Coulibaly Military Hospital and a cardiology institute. Funding Pressures: IMF and World Bank meetings have put food security and African financing on the agenda; rising debt repayments and inflation risk leaving governments with fewer resources for health and other essential services.

Displacement and Health Access: Nearly 4 million people have been uprooted across Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger—more than double the 2020 total—as attacks, climate shocks and funding shortages deepen the crisis. Displacement is disrupting access to basic services, including healthcare. Food Security: Burkina Faso has halted exports of millet, maize and sorghum flour to protect domestic supply. The measure may keep more staples in the country, but it does not guarantee lower prices or better access for families. Health Investment: The government’s draft 2027 budget includes 20 municipal health centres, 20 modern maternity units, four operating theatres at the Halassane Coulibaly Military Hospital and a cardiology institute. Rising debt costs and inflation across the region could constrain resources for health services.

Food Security: Burkina Faso has banned exports of millet, maize and sorghum flour until further notice to protect domestic supplies. The measure may increase local availability, but it does not guarantee lower prices or better access for families. Sahel Displacement: The UN says displacement across the central Sahel has more than doubled in six years, with attacks, climate shocks and funding shortages pushing more people from their homes and straining already weak public services. Health Investment: Burkina Faso’s proposed 2027 budget includes 20 municipal health centres, 20 modern maternity units, four operating theatres for the Halassane Coulibaly Military Hospital and a cardiology institute. Health Financing: IMF and World Bank meetings opening in Bangkok will address food security and African financing; rising debt repayments and inflation risk squeezing funds for health services.

Health Investment: Burkina Faso’s draft 2027 budget includes plans for 20 municipal health centres, 20 modern maternity units, four operating theatres at Halassane Coulibaly Military Hospital and a cardiology institute. Access to Care: A critique of the government’s digital health-insurance rollout says online registration remains out of reach for many, citing low internet access and limited 4G coverage; it estimates only about 1.3% of the population has been reached. Sahel Displacement: UNHCR says displacement in the central Sahel has more than doubled since 2020, with attacks, climate shocks and funding shortages pushing more families to flee and straining already weak public services.

Health Infrastructure: Burkina Faso’s draft 2027 budget proposes 20 municipal health centres, 20 modern maternity units, four operating theatres at the Halassane Coulibaly Military Hospital and a cardiology institute. Health Financing: Ahead of IMF–World Bank meetings in Bangkok, the World Bank warns rising inflation and debt repayments are squeezing funds for health and other services; Finance Minister Aboubakar Nacanabo is due to join a food-security discussion. Access to Care: A critique of Burkina Faso’s digital health insurance rollout says online enrolment reaches only about 1.3% of the population, highlighting how limited internet access could leave many people behind. Regional Strain: UNHCR says displacement in the central Sahel has more than doubled since 2020, while attacks, climate shocks and funding shortages compound pressure on already weak public services.

Sahel Displacement: UNHCR says displacement has more than doubled since 2020, with 818,000 refugees and asylum seekers across the region. Attacks, climate shocks and funding shortfalls are worsening the crisis, while weak public services leave displaced families with limited support. Health Investment: Burkina Faso’s draft 2027 budget includes 20 municipal health centres, 20 modern maternity units, four operating theatres at the Halassane Coulibaly Military Hospital and a cardiology institute. Access to Care: A critique of Burkina Faso’s digital health insurance rollout says online enrolment reaches only about 1.3% of the population, while internet access remains limited—raising questions about whether the system can serve people beyond connected urban areas.

Health Investment: Burkina Faso’s proposed 2027 budget includes 20 municipal health centres, 20 modern maternity units, four operating theatres at the Halassane Coulibaly Military Hospital and a cardiology institute. Insurance Access: The government is promoting digital enrolment in universal health insurance, but critics say it has reached only about 1.3% of the population as internet access remains limited. Malaria Research: A Yale study found antimalarial drugs can persist in mosquitoes after a blood meal; researchers say more work is needed to learn whether this affects malaria parasites developing inside them. Regional Health Planning: Burkina Faso is among eight pilot countries in a new ECA-UNFPA platform tracking progress on Africa’s demographic roadmap, including health and well-being.