Strengthening the resilience of communities between Mali and Burkina Faso

Mali and Burkina Faso are disproportionately bearing the brunt of global warming. An increase in the frequency of drought and flooding negatively impacts agriculture and livestock, causing the incomes of the rural populations to decline and entrenching inequalities. The area is mired by intercommunal tensions and conflicts. Conflicts often erupt between farmers and communities over natural resources and land use. The interconnected impacts of conflict and climate change are escalating violence, causing a rise in food insecurity and loss of livelihoods in the region. As shocks increase, internal displacement of people also increases, eroding the access of communities to basic services such as education, healthcare and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities. The project focuses on the cross-border regions between Mali and Burkina Faso.

The project

This project aims to build community resilience to conflict and climate related shocks. We meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable communities, sustainably rehabilitating infrastructure for drinking water and agriculture and providing basic services. Simultaneously, we build resilience in communities by creating sustainable livelihood opportunities, providing training, delivering start-up kits and building microfinance structures.

Our peacebuilding work tackles the identified root causes of the conflict: the breakdown of inter and intra community dialogue and the rising conflicts over natural resource management. Women and youth are centralised throughout the project’s activities, strengthening their capacity to cope with both environmental and conflict shocks.

The project is supported by Danida through the PATRIP Foundation with a total budget of 10.3 million DKK.

Countries: Mali, Burkina Faso