Devastating Terrorist Attacks on Burkina Faso Churches: Thousands Displaced, Urgent Relief Efforts Needed

Terrorist attacks have wreaked havoc on the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Burkina Faso, displacing thousands and causing widespread devastation.

A recent report reveals the extent of the crisis, with hundreds of pastors and congregants uprooted, churches destroyed, and lives lost, among them two Alliance pastors. This alarming situation underscores the urgent need for coordinated relief and recovery efforts.

For several years, Burkina Faso has suffered terrorist attacks that have caused numerous losses of human life, injuries, massive population displacements, and the closure of many social infrastructures (health centers, schools, etc.). The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) Church of Burkina Faso is severely affected by this situation.

The modus operandi of terrorists is consistent across different areas: they arrive, kill, loot property, take livestock, kidnap individuals, and burn everything in their path. In some locations, the government has deployed military forces to secure the areas, and some residents have begun to return to their villages, though they face severe shortages of essential items.

In several villages with churches, terrorist attacks have caused significant loss of life, the burning of homes and churches, and destruction. Tragically, two pastors and Christian people from the C&MA in Burkina Faso have been killed in these attacks. Information from two districts remains unavailable. Some Internally Displaced People (IDPs) are beginning to return to their homes due to military intervention, and several pastors are providing counseling to support their communities.

According to the last data update carried out in early June 2024, it appears that:

• 189 pastors had to abandon their places.
• 2 pastors were killed.
• 1 pastor was kidnapped by terrorists.
• 163 churches were closed.
• 17 churches were destroyed.
• 37 Christians were killed.
• 19,603 Christians were internally relocated.

Recovery and Support Efforts

The C&MA Church of Burkina Faso, through its social ministry, the Development Office (ACCEDES), is organizing the return of IDPs with a comprehensive program that includes emergency relief, church reconstruction, income-generating activities (such as small-scale livestock farming), and provision of seeds for agriculture and gardening.

The Alliance World Fellowship (AWF) and the C&MA of Burkina Faso have been partners to support local communities in Burkina Faso through programs like the AWF Global Response to COVID-19 – Phases 1 and 2, Famine Relief and Pastors Relief, and the Development Projects providing physical and spiritual care, support and love.

The church extends its gratitude for all spiritual, material, and financial support to ensure the success of these recovery initiatives.

We encourage you to keep them in your prayers, so that many from these vulnerable communities may receive aid and feel God’s presence in their lives. Pray for local churches to forge strong connections with their communities and effectively share the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.