Since 2016, Burkina Faso has experienced an alarming escalation of violence from jihadist militants.
Since the beginning of the crisis the Burkinabe government has lost control of territories in the north and northeast to jihadist groups, which infiltrated from neighboring Mali and continue to move between borders for their attacks and operations. Christians
have suffered targeted attacks, causing survivors to flee in droves to centres further south. These Christians struggled to provide for their families in displacement, and their circumstances were greatly complicated by the economic impact of the Covid-19
pandemic.
In 2021, thanks to your generous support, Open Doors was able to provide targeted relief to 2,100 Christian households. Each family received food items (like rice, maize, beans and cooking oil) to bring relief for at least a few months. Here are some
messages of gratitude straight from 3 of the beneficiaries:
Gemila
“My name is Gemila. I come from the locality of Koudougou. We left our village because of terrorist attacks. I would like to thank you. I received food items. I got rice, maize, salt, oil, tomato and macaroni. So, I thank our Christian brethren who
supported us. May God bless them and grant them long life.”
Salamata
“My name is Salamata. I come from Naounkieba where we lived. Attacks brought us to Kongoussi. But glory be to God: I greatly thank the Lord Jesus Christ because when I got to Kongoussi, truly, they welcomed me, my brothers and sisters; my uncles and the
different pastors that are in Kongoussi. Really, I thank the good Lord. Thanks to them, truly I receive foodstuff. Life does not cost me really much, thanks to their intervention. I also greatly thank those who are within and without (Burkina Faso), may
the blessings of God be upon you. May the Almighty accompany you! Glory be to God, today, I have just received foodstuff, I got a bag of maize, a bag of rice, a bag of beans, I got a gallon of oil, the big tomato tin and even the small one. I got a packet
of sugar and I also received salt. I hugely thank the Good Lord! Long life to those within and without.”
Boukary
“My name is Boukary, I come from Djibo. (After) we came here, we have received maize, rice, sugar and spaghetti. So, we thank God very much who has done this good work for us together we thank you very much for what you have done for us. We thank you
so very, very much; you have done well for us; may God give you long life, may God help you every day!”
