Since 2019, Burkina Faso has been in the midst of a security crisis. The country now has a large number of internally displaced persons, a significant portion of whom are children.
Torn from their homes and exposed to violence and insecurity, they bear the visible and invisible scars of this situation. In Burkina Faso, care for infants and preschool-aged children is very limited. This is where the Protecting Children Affected by Conflict or Exclusion (PEACE) program steps in, working through Burkinabé professionals—the only ones capable of implementing the program.
PEACE aims to provide immediate protection for isolated or traumatized children. It is part of a comprehensive approach that enables children to re-engage in socialization and gain access to education—essential elements for their future.
During group sessions, about fifty children participate in a fun and educational activity. While the facilitator tells a story and leads the group in singing, other team members closely observe the children’s reactions: silences, withdrawal, or disruptive behavior. This helps identify children in distress and, in coordination with local child protection agencies, work with families to initiate appropriate care.
By 2025, Asmae and its partners had supported more than 9,000 children and 4,000 displaced parents in the northern and western regions through PEACE. Serving as a true safety net, the program enables the rapid detection of trauma and offers children the opportunity to rebuild their lives.
“Before your intervention, Issa suffered because of my lack of knowledge and the precarious circumstances in which we lived. Until he was three years old, he was unable to stand on his own. I didn’t know how to provide the necessary care for a child, and I didn’t have the financial means to cover his medical, nutritional, or clothing needs. I can say that he owes his life to Asmae and the Provincial Directorate of Humanitarian Action: it is thanks to their support that he was able to regain the use of his feet and recover his health. Today, Issa is a thriving child.”
– Testimonial from Bintou, Issa’s grandmother, who receives support for her health, food, and clothing needs.