Thanks to these facilities, my children and I have water every day, without having to worry about long queues.
In the heart of Burkina Faso’s Boulsa region, where the dry season stretches longer each year and traditional wells are no longer reliable, access to water had become a daily struggle. For Adjaratou Sawadogo, a mother and member of the local community, the challenge of securing clean water was growing more urgent by the day.
A community under pressure
The Central Sahel is facing one of the most severe humanitarian crises in recent memory. In October 2024 alone, more than 23 million people across Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Chad required humanitarian aid and protection, nearly one in five people in the region. Over 10 million were experiencing food emergencies, with water scarcity compounding the crisis.
In Boulsa and neighbouring Boussouma, both internally displaced people and host communities have been grappling with dwindling resources. As populations grow and climate pressures intensify, the strain on basic services like water has become overwhelming.
A lifeline through infrastructure
In response, Oxfam and our partners have worked closely with local communities to install sustainable water infrastructure. These new facilities have brought immediate relief to families like Adjaratou’s, who no longer have to endure long queues or worry about the next day’s supply.
Before, we had to wake up early and wait for hours at the well, hoping there would still be water left,” Adjaratou explains. “Now, we have water every day. It has changed everything.”
Strengthening resilience
This initiative is part of a broader effort to support communities across the Sahel in building resilience against the growing impacts of conflict, displacement and climate change. By ensuring access to clean water, Oxfam is helping families stay healthy, maintain their dignity, and focus on rebuilding their lives.
Adjaratou’s story is one of many, each a powerful reminder of how collective action and community-led solutions can bring hope, even in the most challenging circumstances.
