In the heart of Soum Province, Burkina Faso, the internally displaced persons (IDP) site in Baraboulé has become a refuge for many families fleeing conflict and insecurity. Among them is Maiga Souaibou, a father of three, whose life was turned upside down by violence in his home village of Petegoli.

“I spent my entire childhood in Petegoli until the day I was forced to leave. My older brother was kidnapped and killed just 100 meters from our home,” Maiga recalls. Armed groups had invaded his village, claiming to bring peace, but soon began carrying out brutal executions and restricting movement under the threat of death. Faced with no choice, Maiga fled secretly to Djibo, seeking safety for his family.

With no home and few resources, Maiga was welcomed by a friend and quickly registered with humanitarian organizations. His situation was dire—his family was crammed into a small, makeshift shelter, vulnerable to harsh weather and insecurity. That was when AIRD, through the Regional Humanitarian Fund for West and Central Africa (FHRAOC), stepped in to provide critical assistance.

“AIRD gave us a well-built tent large enough to shelter my entire family. It was a relief to finally have a safe place to sleep,” Maiga shares. Alongside the shelter, AIRD and its partners provided an essential household kit, including cooking pots, stoves, jerrycans, mosquito nets, mats, and blankets—items that restored a sense of dignity and stability to Maiga’s family.

“Thanks to AIRD and UNHCR, we now have durable shelter and the necessities we need. The high-quality kitchen equipment has especially helped us regain a sense of normalcy in our daily lives,” Maiga says.

Though the challenges of displacement remain, Maiga and his family now have a foundation to rebuild their lives. Their story is a testament to the impact of humanitarian aid and the resilience of those who, despite adversity, continue to hope for a better future.