Burkina Faso: World Humanitarian Day celebrated in Fada N'Gourma

"Acting for humanity" is the theme under which national and international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in the Goulmou, Tapoa and Sirba regions celebrated World Humanitarian Day (WHD) in Fada N'Gourma on August 19, 2025. A day dedicated to those who devote their time, breath and lives to bringing aid where it's needed.

For the beneficiaries of humanitarian action, this day has a profound meaning. Boniface TANKOANO, representative of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), expressed their gratitude to the men and women working in humanitarian aid: "You do a lot for us, but as a local saying goes: until the dolo is over, there will always be visitors. We remain under your wings," he concludes.

Taladia THIOMBIANO, representing the host population, also emphasized that the actions of the humanitarians had helped to change lives in a difficult security context.
Bruno Salomon NGANDU, head of the OCHA sub-office and representative of the humanitarian community, praised the availability and unfailing support of the regional authorities. This celebration is an expression of the commitment and solidarity that characterize humanitarian actors. "I pay tribute to all the humanitarian actors who never cease to face obstacles to come to the aid of those in need. Acting far from any non-humanitarian aims in the areas where we implement the humanitarian response, that's acting for humanity", he asserts.
A total of 19 NGOs are active in this part of Burkina Faso, including the International Rescue Committee (IRC), an international NGO that has been operating in the region since 2022.

According to Zenabe KOUMBEM, representative of the IRC field coordinator in Fada, this day of tribute to humanitarian personnel provided an opportunity to present the actions carried out for the benefit of children, women, the host population and internally displaced persons. "Several IRC projects in the communes of Diabo, Tibga and Diapangou focus on child protection, the protection and empowerment of women, and economic recovery," she confides, adding that the emphasis is on supporting internally displaced people.

Siaka Ouattara, Secretary General of the Goulmou region, representing the Governor, praised the actions carried out on a daily basis by humanitarians for the various beneficiaries of projects in the Rising Sun region. "We can see the results of all the NGOs working in the region," said the governor, who urged aid workers to continue supporting the local population.

The commemoration included stand displays, a food handover to IDPs and the host population, the donation of Income Generating Activity (IGA) kits for 100 households, and a football match for children.nages and a soccer match to close the day's activities were among the activities carried out at this edition of World Humanitarian Day in the city of Yendabili.

Source: lefaso.net/