All 45 provinces in the thirteen regions of Burkina Faso were analyzed. In total, it is estimated that 699,027 children aged 6-59 months will likely be acutely malnourished through 2022, which represents about 10% more cases compared to the last analysis (Oct. 2020-July 2021 period) and an increase in Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) cases of over 18% compared to last year. Compared to the last analysis, there are also 25% more pregnant and lactating women (163,000) who will suffer from acute malnutrition through 2022.

During the current period, only one province (Koulpelogo) is in IPC Phase 1 (Acceptable); 21 provinces are in IPC Phase 2 (Alert); 18 provinces are in IPC Phase 3 (Serious) and five provinces are in IPC Phase 4 (Critical). Overall, this worrying picture is not expected to change in the coming year in the two projection periods. Overall, 36 out of 45 provinces will remain stable, almost half of which are in IPC Phase 2 (17 out of 36 stable provinces); about 40% in IPC Phase 3 and five provinces are and will remain in IPC Phase 4. Only nine provinces will experience phase changes in the projection periods, half of which will improve over projected period 1 (Feb.-April 2022) and all of which will deteriorate over the projected period 2 (May-July 2022).

The factors contributing to acute malnutrition vary from one unit of analysis to another; however, for the provinces classified in IPC Phase 3 or above, we can identify inadequate food intake, high prevalence of childhood morbidities (fever and diarrhea), poor hygiene conditions (inaccessibility to sanitation facilities) and low coverage of access to drinking water. The negative effects of the security crisis have led to massive population displacements in almost half of the country, i.e., six of the 13 regions (North, Sahel, East Central, North Central, Boucle du Mouhoun, East). The closure/dysfunction of health facilities in provinces with limited humanitarian access has reduced the population’s access to care. The impact of the health crisis related to the COVID-19 pandemic is also a major negative contributing factor to the nutritional situation of the most vulnerable, particularly women and children under five.

Of the 45 provinces analyzed, nearly half are in a situation of civil insecurity that has been exacerbated throughout the year, while population displacements due to the deteriorating security situation (attacks on the population) are massive. Most of these areas are classified as Serious (IPC Phase 3) and Critical (IPC Phase 4). Urgent and early interventions are needed to reverse or contain a possible deterioration in the nutritional status of vulnerable people (children under five and pregnant and lactating women) and trends in acute malnutrition :

In the short-term:

• Strengthen surveillance and control measures for COVID-19;
• Ensure access to quality treatment for all acutely malnourished children under five and pregnant and lactating women in order to reduce the mortality rate among this segment of the population;
• Strengthen Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) and community-based maternal and child health (capacity of community-based health workers to manage malaria, diarrhea, Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI), etc.;
• Implement the delegation of tasks to community-based health workers for community management of cases of acute malnutrition and vaccination;
• Anticipate the implementation of emergency food assistance mechanisms for populations in Phase 3 or above of the Cadre Harmonisé food insecurity scale, integrating protection programs for children under the age of five as well as pregnant and lactating women;
• Strengthen the surveillance and management of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in areas hosting them;
• Strengthen the surveillance of diseases with epidemic potential;
• Ensure the continuity of health care for the population, especially in areas most affected by insecurity;
• Guarantee access to drinking water and sanitation facilities for IDPs.

In the mid- to long-term:

• Improve access to drinking water and sanitation services and increase awareness of the use of sanitation facilities;
• Intensify sensitization of women on good feeding practices as well as those of infants and young children;
• Strengthen resilience interventions for IDPs;
• Strengthen community awareness on early attendance at health centers;
• Strengthen food support for host households and IDPs in areas facing security challenges, including protection programs for children under five and pregnant and lactating women.