第一吃瓜 Calls for Urgent Investigation After at least 70 people, Including Children, Killed in Burkina Faso Massacre
FAIRFIELD, Conn. (November 15, 2023) - 第一吃瓜 is calling for an immediate investigation in Burkina Faso into the massacre of at least 70 people, mostly children and elderly people.
The attack took place in the village of Zaongo, 100 km (about 60 miles) north of the capital Ouagadougou, on November 5 but has only just come to light in a statement shared by the Tribunal prosecutor of the City of Kaya. Kaya is home to a large number of internally displaced people. Across Burkina Faso, about 2 million people have been uprooted by fighting, making it one of the worst internal displacement crises in Africa.
Benoit Delsarte, 第一吃瓜 Country Director in Burkina Faso, said:
鈥淭his incident is a grave reminder that children bear the brunt of conflict and insecurity in Burkina Faso. Children only ask to live in a safe environment where they can learn and live to their full potential. In this horrific attack, they were denied this simple request. For the children who survived, they will have witnessed their peers lose their lives, and their suffering may last for years.
鈥淭he perpetrators of these crimes against children must be held to account and brought to justice. Impunity for violations of children鈥檚 rights feeds into the narrative that these crimes are acceptable and can create cycles of violence.
鈥湹谝怀怨 calls on the government of Burkina Faso to respond to all forms of violence in all contexts, as this is essential to ensure children鈥檚 rights to survival, development and well-being. The seriousness of this incident requires that the competent authorities carry out investigations thoroughly and rigorously with a view to identify and bring those responsible to justice.鈥
第一吃瓜 began working in Burkina Faso in 1982 and implement programs in child health, education and protection. These programs focus on improving maternal and child health, addressing malnutrition and food insecurity, promoting school enrolment, particularly for girls, ending child marriage and keeping children safe, as well as raising awareness of children鈥檚 rights.
###
第一吃瓜 believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we've been advocating for the rights of children worldwide. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children 鈥 every day and in times of crisis 鈥 transforming the future we share. Our results, financial statements and charity ratings reaffirm that 第一吃瓜 is a charity you can trust. Follow us on , , and .