Burkina Faso: Christians and Muslims together against the desert
Drought, poverty and terror: survival is becoming increasingly difficult in the Sahel region due to the unstable security situation.
Your donation helps Christians and Muslims in Burkina Faso to work together successfully in the fields despite the adversity.
- Africa
Against hunger - for peace
For years, the people of Burkina Faso have been affected by terrorist attacks, military coups and the resulting political crises. The vast majority of people here live from agriculture and farmers and herders compete for fertile land. Climate change and the associated droughts and heavy rainfall further reduce harvests.
In the Dori region, Misereor supports the Union of the Faithful (UFC). Designed as a community project from the outset, the organisation is run by Muslims and Christians on an equal footing. They have joined forces to improve their living conditions and prevent the advance of the desert.
Ensuring food security with wells and rainwater catchment basins
As part of the aid project, wells and rainwater catchment basins (boulis) are being built. Their water is sufficient to irrigate the surrounding fruit and vegetable fields for five months. The residents can thus transform dry soil into a green garden using simple means. Potatoes, cabbages, oranges, papayas and many other foods now grow here. Even in the dry season, surpluses can be sold on the market and income generated.
Peace dialogue for a better future
Cooperation between Christians and Muslims creates a climate of understanding and tolerance. The UFC Dori organises peace committees and high-profile meetings that promote mutual trust and cooperation between the region's religious and political leaders. Even a radio programme for interfaith understanding has been launched to reach even more people. Thanks to these efforts, a strong bond of solidarity is being created that remains unshakeable in times of need.
Your donation supports these courageous dialogues that bring hope and peace to a region that desperately needs it. Support the work for water and peace.
This is what our joint success will look like in 2023
- Prepared new boulis: 3
- Households directly benefiting from the measures: 3,470
- Peace meetings with religious and political authorities: 3
- People reached via the radio programme: 142,700
Sometimes we receive more donations for a project than was granted to the legal holder of the respective project. The projects listed here are examples of the work Misereor supports all over the world. If donations for a project exceed the amount granted to its legal holder, we allocate the surplus to other projects with a similar concept.
Our local partner organisations
Union Fraternelle des Croyants de Dori
In Dori, Misereor works together with the " Union Fraternelle des Croyants de Dori" (UFC), the " Fraternal Union of Believers of Dori".
Christians and Muslims have been working together in this initiative since 1969. Christians make up a minority of 20 to 25 per cent of the population in Burkina Faso. In the Dori region, they only make up around five per cent of the population.
Together with the Muslim majority, they prevent further desertification of the country and improve their living conditions through agriculture and forestry adapted to the semi-arid Sahel climate.
The UFC is firmly anchored in the region and has a very broad base: With 380,000 people, around a third of the population of Dori is involved in interfaith development cooperation.
Mona Plate
Donor Communications
- Telephone
- +49 241 442518
- mona.plate@misereor.de
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