Assistance for Internally Displaced Persons in the Periphery of Ouagadougou in a Security Crisis Situation

Abstract

The situation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) raises many questions due to a lack of information on the part of the government. The actors in the field do not always agree on certain points, especially with regard to the living conditions of IDPs and even the working conditions of the humanitarian organizations that provide them with assistance. The aim of this research was to know if the actions of socio-economic care of IDPs on the outskirts of Ouagadougou are effective. We used a non-probability sampling method. The observation units were selected according to their availability (reasoned choice). Thus, the survey involved a sample of 34 households, made up of 202 IDPs including 51 adults and 151 children. We also conducted interviews with three (03) representatives of the Social Action of the municipality of Ouagadougou, one (01) authority of the Town Hall of the District 09 of the municipality of Ouagadougou, three (03) members associations and organizations providing assistance to IDPs, and one (01) responsible for coordinating aid to displaced persons in the city of Ouagadougou. In view of the results, humanitarian aid is considered insufficient, it is therefore necessary to: (i) intensify and accelerate the empowerment of IDPs through income-generating activities. As a prelude, the State must assume its responsibilities and fulfill its most absolute duty, namely to take care of internally displaced persons wherever they are, without discrimination of zone.