Burkina Faso

With funding from the U.S. Government, Corus organization LWR supports the recovery of 2,025 food-insecure households across seven communes in Kuilse (formerly Centre-Nord) and Goulmou, Sirba, and Tapoa (formerly Est). Through an integrated approach, LWR is enhancing agricultural productivity with better land access, resilient seeds, improved techniques, irrigation, equipment, and livestock support. Simultaneously, livelihoods are being restored through strengthened Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs), market access, and financial services. LWR also promotes better nutrition by encouraging healthy dietary practices, improving infant and maternal nutrition, and supporting local food production in emergency settings. 

Corus organization IMA World Health leads the implementation of the U.S. Government-funded MOMENTUM Integrated Health Resilience to accelerate the reduction of preventable maternal and child death and disease burden in fragile settings globally. In Burkina Faso, activities took place in Nakambe (formerly Centre-Est), Nando (formerly Centre-Ouest) and Djoro (formerly Sud-Ouest). IMA led interventions focused on RMNCH, social and behavior change, and nutrition, and worked with partners to increase the capacity of the Ministry of Health to sustainably plan and manage quality services, including building resilience to health system shocks and stresses. In fiscal year 2024 alone, 2.8 million children under 5 received nutrition services, 898,000 pregnant women received nutrition support, and more than 1.1 million mothers were sensitized on maternal, infant and young child feeding (MIYCF). 

As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food for Progress Program, LWR worked with farmers, cooperatives, and buyers to improve sesame quality and farmers’ access to lucrative export markets. Operating in the Sourou and Bankui (formerly Boucle du Mouhoun), Goulmou, Tapoa and Sirba (formerly Est), Tannounyan (formerly Cascades) and Guiriko (formerly Hauts-Bassins) regions, the project trained smallholder farmers in sustainable sesame production, post-harvest handling, and storage. Farmers also gained business skills, access to credit, stronger buyer connections, and knowledge of trade regulations. LWR leveraged ICT-enabled platforms to enhance information flow, streamline processes, and strengthen producer-buyer relationships. LWR’s innovative Producer Enterprise Agent (PEA) model delivered training directly to 479 cooperative members, improving production and marketing practices. LWR also trained over 273 producer organizations on improved organizational, managerial, and marketing policies and. Since 2016, the project has reached over 490,000 individuals, with 138,000+ hectares now cultivated using resilient practices. Farmers supported by LWR have sold 166,354 metric tons of high-quality sesame, valued at $243 million—up from just $2.8 million in 2016.  

In Goulmou, Sirba and Tapoa, LWR responded to the immediate food needs of 5,135 IDPs and host populations and developed early recovery activities through agricultural production, income generating activities (IGAs) and linkages to the local market. Additionally, LWR helped establish more than 22 entrepreneur groups, involving over 500 members in IGAs such as soap production and sales.

With funding from the Gates Foundation between 2021-2022, LWR addressed the urgent needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities in Kaya, Pissila, and Korsimoro communes of Sanmatenga Province through food security initiatives. They supported 1,200 households (74% IDPs) with immediate food assistance, business training for resilience, and the establishment of market gardens. A 1-hectare market garden enabled 50 women to produce vegetables, with 26% used for household consumption and 74% sold for income. Additionally, 150 women were supported in poultry farming with 900 hens and roosters, 15 tons of feed, and necessary equipment. Within six months, the chicken population grew to 7,771, averaging 52 chickens per beneficiary. Furthermore, 450 individuals, including 369 IDPs and 250 women, were trained in trades such as restoration, graphic design, metal welding, and woodworking. Within three months, 65% of these beneficiaries began earning profits from their new trades. 

With funding from the Gates Foundation between 2020-2021, LWR provided IDPs and host communities in Bankui and Bourou with equitable food assistance and livelihood opportunities in a manner that increased resilience through strengthened social cohesion activities, such as complementary food distributions, cash transfers to conduct income-generating activities, agriculture inputs distributions, and mobile poultry kit distributions to internally displaced women. 

Focusing on Bankui, Bourou, Goulmou, Sirba and Tapoa in 2020-2021 with support from Norwegian Church Aid, LWR provided services to 49,511 IDPs and host populations in dire need of WASH and protection assistance, WASH infrastructure (drillings and latrines), and hygiene and dignity kits.

With the support of the Gates Foundation, LWR strengthened household resilience, supporting livelihoods and food security in communities experiencing conflict and environmental shocks and stressors. Over 774,000 kg of cereals were sold to 7,154 vulnerable households at affordable prices, while animal restocking and beef fattening activities helped restore incomes. In Goulmou, Sirba and Tapoa, LWR partnered with CONASUR to establish a local early warning system for emergencies. 

With support from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, LWR supported 14,548 farmers in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to build resilience against climate shocks through improved agriculture, livestock production, income generation, and stronger community-based organizations (CBOs). In Goulmou, Sirba and Tapoa, the CORE II program impacted 147,306 people. Key results include 86% of households restocking livestock, 92% increasing cowpea yields, 61% boosting sorghum yields, and 75% creating new income streams. Additionally, 6,624 women joined village savings groups, and CBOs saw a 139% increase in operating capital.