In response to the deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in Burkina Faso, a G5 Sahel country, the European Commission announced on Wednesday 26 February the mobilization of 11.45 million euros in humanitarian aid. The announcement came during the mission of the Commissioners for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, and his colleague at International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen.
They met the Burkinabe authorities, displaced persons, the EU delegation in Ouagadougou and humanitarian organizations, ECHO's partners in the field.
Discussions focused on the development-humanitarian nexus, in the context of the meeting between European and G5 Sahel Heads of State or Government to be held on 26 March in Brussels in the margins of the European Council (26-27 March).
“Humanitarian aid is not a sustainable solution and the causes of the crisis must be addressed. Only an integrated response will make it possible to ensure the security of the populations, meet their needs and aspirations and restore confidence in the territories affected by the crisis”, Mr Lenarčič stressed. “We stand together against the huge challenges to the stability of the Sahel and we are resolutely working to ensure peace and development for the people of the region” of the G5 Sahel, Mrs Urpilainen had assured the day before from Mauritania. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)