IA2030 Case study 12. Boureima Kaboré. Delivering services in conflict-affected areas

This case study is part of a series shining a light on the experiences of immunization and primary healthcare staff working at different levels of national immunization programmes in low- and middle-income countries. The people featured are all taking part in the IA2030 Movement peer learning programme organized by the Geneva Learning Foundation (LinkedIn | YouTube | Twitter |  Podcast). 

In conflict-affected Burkina Faso, mechanisms exist to deliver immunization services to internally displaced people but not to those choosing to stay behind. Could community health workers be trained to deliver services in these areas?

“Since 2016, many parts of Burkina Faso have been affected by terrorism and insecurity. Six out of 13 regions are affected, covering about 40% of the national population. More than 270 health facilities are now closed or are not offering many services. In these areas, many men have left their homes because terrorists have threatened to kill them. They usually take their families with them. In 2021, more than 8% of the population was forced to leave their homes because of terrorist threats.

However, some people decide to stay. The spouses and families of those who are killed are also left behind. Health and immunization are not really high priorities for these people. Their main aim each day is to survive and to meet their basic needs for food, water and shelter. 

The Government has a plan for those who are displaced because of violence in communities. With the help of humanitarian organizations, health camps have been set up and the internally displaced people have access to a health and other services. But almost nothing is done for those left behind. They are not getting access to immunization services because health facilities are not functioning, meaning communities are at risk of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles.”

This Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030) case study is part of the IA2030 Movement’s Knowledge-to-Action Hub. Learn more about the Hub… Learn more about the Movement…